Exiles express solidarity with Tibet landslide victims

DHARAMSALA - The Tibetan government-in-exile Monday expressed solidarity with the families of those who died in the devastating floods in China.

At least 127 people were killed and 45,000 people affected after landslides triggered by torrential rains hit Zhouqu county in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture early Sunday.

“The Kashag (cabinet) offers its deep condolence to the surviving relatives and pray for their quick emotional and physical recovery both in terms of health and reconstruction,” said an official statement released here.

“The Kashag is organising a special prayer session Tuesday at Tsuglagkhang (temple at McLeodganj) to pray for the deceased and early recovery of those injured,” added the statement.

The rescue headquarters in Zhouqu estimated that 1,294 people were missing. Earlier the provincial civil affairs department had put the figure of missing people at nearly 2,000, Xinhua news agency reported from Beijing Monday.

As many as 1,242 people were rescued from the debris and 45,000 people have been evacuated, said the provincial civil affairs department.