DHAKA: Bangladesh expressed condolence to Netherlands for the 189 Dutch citizens who lost their lives on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

In a condolence message to her Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that Malaysian Airlines plane crash in Ukraine took lives of 189 people of the Netherlands.”

“At this difficult hour, the people of Bangladesh join me in sharing the grief of the people of the Netherlands. Through you, allow me and my people to convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased,” she added.

The people of Bangladesh stand by the people of the Netherlands with their sincerest prayers at this difficult juncture. 

May the Almighty grant them strength and fortitude to bear with such enduring loss.

In another statement, foreign minister A. H. Mahmood Ali said, “I extend to you my heart-felt sympathy and deepest condolences through you to the families whose dear ones have lost their lives.”

We sincerely hope that the affected families would be able to face the situation with courage and fortitude. May the Almighty grant strength to the people of your country to bear with this deep anguish and enduring loss, he added.

BDST: 1021 HRS, JUL 20, 2014