The US Department of State and several members of Congress on Saturday sent condolences to the victims of a series of earthquakes that hit southern Taiwan earlier in the day.
The lawmakers said the US would provide necessary assistance to help the nation in post-quake relief efforts and reconstruction.
In a statement, Department of State spokesman John Kirby said that, on behalf of the American people, the US would like to express its “deepest condolences over the recent devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquake in southern Taiwan.”
“The heartfelt thoughts of the American people are with all those affected in Taiwan,” Kirby said.
A magnitude 6.4 quake hit southern Taiwan at 3:57am on Saturday, toppling several buildings in Tainan. At press time last night, the quake and its series of aftershocks had killed 29 people and injured more than 500.
Among the US congressmen who sent condolences over the quake, US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia Chairman Matt Salmon expressed great concern over the loss suffered by Taiwan.
On Twitter, Salmon said: “Please keep the Taiwanese people in our thoughts as they cope with the destruction of today’s magnitude 6.4 earthquake.”
US Senate Taiwan Caucus co-chairman James Inhofe offered prayers and assistance to Taiwan, and stressed the close friendship between the two nations.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Taiwan as we mourn for those whose lives have been lost and offer our support to their families and all the people of Taiwan,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The ties between our two countries are strong and deep. We will stand together to overcome this tragedy so that Taiwan can emerge stronger.”
Inhofe added that he would work with the US departments of state and defense to help provide Taiwan whatever assistance it might need to save lives and help the nation and its people in reconstruction.
US Senate Taiwan Caucus co-chairman Robert Menendez expressed his willingness to help Taiwan take on the difficulties after the quake.
US Senator Paul Strauss voiced his concern about the quake, saying his thoughts have been with people in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US.
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