“I’m deeply saddened to learn about the tragic loss of hundreds of lives and large-scale destruction of property from the recent earthquake and consequent tsunami in the island of Sulawesi last week,” President Hamid said in a message to his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo.

He said the resilient people of Indonesia would overcome this testing time soon under President Widodo’s able stewardship.  

President Hamid said the people and the government of Bangladesh joined him to share the grief of the friendly people and the government of Indonesia and expressed deepest condolences and sympathy to the people who lost their near and dear ones and suffered casualties of property in the devastating natural calamity.  

“It’s a matter of deep sorrow to learn about the loss of hundreds of lives and massive devastation of properties from the strong earthquake and subsequent tsunami that ravaged the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last week,” Prime Minister Hasina said in a separate message to President Widodo.

At this hour of grief, she said, the people and the government of Bangladesh joined her to express deepest condolences and solidarity to the brotherly people and the government of Indonesia, particularly to those who lost their friends and families and suffered the loss of property.  

“Bangladesh stands ready to extend all possible cooperation in the search and rescue operation for the missing people. We’re confident that the resilient people of Indonesia would overcome this difficult time with patience under your able leadership,” she said.

The death toll from the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi has risen to 832 and authorities warned that it could reach into the thousands, reports international media.