Palace condoles with families of tsunami victims in Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday condoled with families of the victims of tsunami that killed at least 43 people in Indonesia.

“We offer our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the people of Indonesia who were hit by a tsunami around the Sunda Strait yesterday night. We particularly condole with the families of those who perished in this tragedy,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Philippine embassy in Jakarta, was monitoring the situation and “remains in touch with the leaders of the Filipino community in Indonesia to oversee the condition of our citizens residing there and make sure all are safe and accounted for.”

A tsunami, apparently caused by a volcanic eruption, hit Indonesia’s Sunda Strait on Sunday, killing dozens of people and damaging houses and hotels.

READ: Indonesia tsunami death toll rises to 43

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Central Sulawesi in September that killed hundreds of people in the Southeast Asian country. /kga