(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-14 19:35

TIRANA  -- Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski sent on Tuesday a letter of condolences to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao over the huge death toll and damages caused by a strong earthquake.

The earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan Province in western China on Monday. More than 12,000 people have been reportedly killed in the natural disaster.

"I, with deep regret, received the news of the enormous human suffering and damages caused by the catastrophic earthquake that hit your country," news reaching here from Skopje quoted Crvenkovski as saying in the letter.

"At this sad moment, allow me to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of Macedonian people. I am deeply convinced that humanity and solidarity will help mitigate suffering from this huge tragedy," Crvenkovski said.