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| Reuters Photo |
WASHINGTON
(Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Friday offered assistance
to India, where more than 700 people died when a powerful earthquake
rocked the western part of the country.
Bush issued a statement saying he was saddened by the news of
the earthquake and offered his condolences to the people of western
India and those affected in neighboring Pakistan.
``Earthquakes know no political boundaries,'' Bush said in a statement.
``We stand ready to assist as needed and as desired by the governments.''
The earthquake, measured at 7.9 on the Richter scale by the U.S.
Geological Survey, was the most intense to hit India in half a
century. It struck early on Friday morning.
The quake sent tremors across the country and into neighboring
Pakistan, topping buildings in towns across the state of Gujarat.
Indian officials said at least 726 people were killed, and they
feared the death toll could rise above 1,000 as rescue workers
searched for survivors buried under debris.
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