King Charles has sent a message of condolence to the people of Myanmar following the deadly earthquake that has claimed more than 1,000 lives.
Charles, 76, went into hospital on Thursday after suffering what Buckingham Palace described as ‘temporary side-effects’ from his cancer treatment, and later cancelled a scheduled engagement in Birmingham the following day.
But the monarch’s recuperation from his brief hospital stay has not prevented him from extending his sympathies to the south-east Asian country, which was hit by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday.
More than 1,000 people are dead and 2,376 injured, according to Myanmar’s military-led government.
‘My wife and I were most dreadfully shocked and saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, with its tragic loss of life and appalling damage to homes, buildings and livelihoods, not to mention the destruction of sacred pagodas, monasteries and other places of worship,’ Charles wrote on social media.
‘I know that the people of Myanmar continue to endure so much hardship and tragedy in your lives, and I have long admired your extraordinary resilience and spirit.
‘At this most difficult and heartbreaking of times, my wife and I send our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have suffered the profound tragedy of losing their loved ones, their homes and their precious livelihoods.’
The earthquake had an epicentre near Mandalay, the country’s second largest city, sending buildings in many areas toppling to the ground and causing widespread damage.
‘My wife and I were most dreadfully shocked and saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar,’ King Charles wrote in a message of condolence on social media
The south-east Asian country was hit by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake early on Friday afternoon, claiming more than 1,000 lives and leaving 2,376 people injured
‘My wife and I send our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have suffered the profound tragedy of losing their loved ones,’ King Charles wrote on social media
Neighbouring Thailand also experienced tremors, with six people found dead so far and 26 injured at three construction sites, including a partially built high-rise that collapsed in Bangkok.
Thai authorities said another 47 people were still missing.
Charles is understood to be staying at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire after it was revealed he had been in hospital with side effects from his cancer treatment.
Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday night that the king ‘required a short period of observation in hospital’ earlier that day.
Charles appeared in good spirits on Friday morning as he was seen leaving Clarence House in London in a black Audi.
Buckingham Palace announced in February of last year that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment.
The monarch resumed public duties in April, however, even as he continued to undergo weekly treatment, and the palace has since said he is ‘moving in a positive direction’.