Concord Times (Freetown)
Mariama Kandeh
22 May 2008
The president and his vice Wednesday paid tributes to the deceased Chinese citizens after an earthquake struck Sichuan province in China.
Ernest Bai Koroma and Samuel Sam Sumana also signed a book of condolence at the Chinese Embassy on Spur Loop, Wilberforce in Freetown.
"On behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, I would like to express our heartfelt condolence to the Government and people of the People's Republic of China in this period of tragedy.
Our hearts are with yours and our friendly ties are firm and enduring," Koroma wrote.
However, vice president Sam-Sumana who immediately signed after president Koroma wrote, "We share this moment of grief with you." Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and other Chinese diplomatic missions across the world started mourning victims of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province on Monday as national flags flew at half-mast, exactly one week after the powerful tremor struck.
During the mourning period, condolence books would be opened in Chinese Foreign Ministry, Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. The Beijing Olympic torch relay would also be suspended.
The death toll from the massive quake rose to 41,353 nationwide, while the injured numbered 274,683, according to the emergency response office under the State Council.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Concord Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
