DHAKA: The nations of ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said they stood ready to extend their assistance to the countries hit by a deadly earthquake on Saturday.

The delegates were in Kuala Lumpur for the three-day ASEAN Summit, which officially starts on Monday (Apr 27).

"We, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, are deeply shocked and saddened by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal as well as its surrounding neighbours, India and Bangladesh, on Apr 25, 2015," the foreign ministers said in a joint statement.

"We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Governments and peoples of Nepal, India and Bangladesh, as well as to the families affected by the earthquake. We are saddened by the loss of lives and damages to property and infrastructure as well as historical heritage sites in the capital of Kathmandu and its surrounding areas.

"The ASEAN Foreign Ministers express our solidarity at this trying time and we stand ready to extend our assistance and join international efforts in assisting the Governments and the peoples of Nepal, India and Bangladesh."

More than 2,500 people were killed in the earthquake on Saturday, while thousands more were injured and rendered homeless.

Source: channelnewsasia.com

BDST: 0907 HRS, APR 27, 2015
RS