President Obama Extend Condolence to Victims of Tsunami in the Mentawai

Berita Lampung President Obama Extend Condolence to Victims of Tsunami in the Mentawai ; United States President Barack Obama expressed condolences for the casualties and damage inflicted by the tsunami disaster in Mentawai, West Sumatra. "Me and Michelle (Obama's wife) are filled with sorrow over the earthquake and the recent tsunami that caused casualties and injuries and damage. Our prayers for the Indonesian people and anyone who experienced the impact of this disaster," he said in a statement issued by the White House in Washington, DC, Tuesday (26/10).

However, the U.S. president who'd spent most of his childhood in Indonesia was declared heartened to see the remarkable resilience shown the people of Indonesia and the Indonesian Government in providing immediate assistance to victims. "As a friend of Indonesia, the United States will always be ready to provide any assistance," he said.

Condolences also be provided separately by the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton said the U.S. government is ready to provide assistance to the victims.

"Our Embassy in Jakarta and our Consulate in Medan continue to work closely with the Indonesian Government to monitor the situation and provide assistance if needed," said Hillary.

Antara reported until Tuesday (26/10) night the death toll from the quake 7.2 on the Richter Scale and the tsunami that struck the Mentawai Islands regency in West Sumatra on Monday (25/10) had reached 112 people.

The number of casualties was revealed in response coordination meeting Mentawai earthquake and tsunami, which led the Governor of West Sumatra, Irwan Prayitno and attended Regent Mentawai, Edison in the Valley, Tuesday (26/10) night.

Coordination meeting also revealed 502 people missing in the earthquake and tsunami in the district, while thousands of residents forced to flee from their homes.

According to reports, attempts to deliver aid to disaster areas are still constrained to bad weather in Mentawai waters, but one has diberangkatan ships carrying aid, volunteers and medical teams.

In addition to the tsunami in Sumatra, the Indonesian people also experience the disaster with the eruption of Mount Merapi that caused at least 25 people killed.