Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, on Sunday over the flooding and landslides that have hit the Latin American country, causing heavy losses of life and property on Saturday.
On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people as well as himself, Xi extended his deep condolences to the victims, and sincere sympathy to the afflicted and the families of the victims.
An aerial view of mudslides caused by heavy rains, in Mocoa, Putumayo department, on April 1, 2017. /AFP Photo
"The Chinese people would like to offer help in disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction," he said, adding that he also believed that the Colombian people will definitely be able to overcome the aftermath of the disaster and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of President Santos and his government.
Santos tweets the latest casualties.
More than 200 people have been killed and hundreds are injured or missing after mudslides destroyed homes in the Colombian city of Mocoa.
The death toll has risen to 254, 43 of them children, President Juan Manuel Santos said earlier via Twitter, adding that these are still preliminary figures.
Soldiers are searching for victims following mudslides caused by heavy rains, in Mocoa, Putumayo department, on April 1, 2017. /AFP Photo
The tragedy occurred on Friday night when heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, devastating several neighborhoods in the area.
Santos arrived in Mocoa on Saturday morning and ordered immediate assistance to all of the affected population. The search and rescue operation is still underway.
Santos visits the area affected by heavy rains, in Mocoa, Putumayo department, on April 1, 2017. /AFP Photo
According to China Central Television, the Chinese government has also reached out to provide humanitarian aid to Colombia and offered help in rescue operation and post-disaster reconstruction.
