Top leaders of Vietnam on September 29 sent messages of sympathy to Indonesian leaders over the huge losses in humans and property caused by earthquakes and tsunami in Palu city, Central Sulawesi province.

A shopping mall collapsed in Palu city in Central Sulawesi province of Indonesia after earthquakes and tsunami on September 28. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh cabled the messages to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, while National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan sent the message to Speaker of the People’s Representative Council Bambang Soesatyo.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh cabled a similar message to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

No Vietnamese has been reported dead or missing in Palu city, Sulawesi province, after strong earthquakes and tsunami occurred in Indonesia on September 28, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry said the Embassy of Vietnam in Indonesia has promptly learned about the situation and carry out necessary protection measures if any Vietnamese was affected.

The embassy also confirmed that 10 Vietnamese students studying at Tadulako University in Palu city are safe.

It has established a working group to ask for assistance from search and rescue agencies, universities and Vietnamese people in neighbouring localities if required.

The students are also advised to remain calm and closely follow guidance and notice of the local disaster prevention agency and keep in touch with the embassy’s staff.

The Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked with the embassy to arrange accommodations for the students until the situation become stable.

In case of emergency, it is recommended to contact the hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy 62811161025 and 62213100358, or the citizen protection hotline 84 981848484, or the hotline of the urgent search and rescue team: Akris 081288035909, Gayur 082116442362, Arifin 085284951234, Irwan 085299267110, Sayudi 082291999669, Ariman 085145000022./.

VNF/VNA