Putin offers condolences for quake-hit China

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over the deadly earthquake in Gansu province, the Kremlin press service said Tuesday.

Putin "has sent words of sincere sympathy and support to people who lost their relatives and friends and has wished a speedy recovery to those injured," the Kremlin said.

Putin also offered China support in relief efforts in that disaster, if needed.

The death toll has risen to 94 in the 6.6-magnitude earthquake which jolted the juncture area of Minxian and Zhangxian counties in the city of Dingxi on Monday morning, leaving 1,001 injured.

An initial investigation showed that the quake had caused the collapse of 51,800 houses and severely damaged about 240,000 homes.