King Charles has spoken of his and Queen Camilla’s shock and sadness in a new message of condolence after the deadly earthquake in Myanmar, as he continues to work while recuperating following his short stay in hospital. The King, who postponed a day full of engagements in Birmingham on Friday to prioritise his recovery after experiencing “temporary side effects” from his cancer treatment, sent a message addressed “to the people of Myanmar” on Saturday. The message was posted on the Royal Family’s social media.
More than 1,000 people have died, while at least 2,376 have been injured after a powerful magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday local time on Friday, according to the country’s military-led government. Charles said in his message: “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. 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 that struck Myanmar had an epicentre near Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city, sending buildings in many areas toppling to the ground and causing widespread damage.
The earthquake also shook neighbouring Thailand, killing six people and injuring 26 at three construction sites, including one where a partially built high-rise collapsed in Bangkok.
Another 47 people were still missing, authorities said on Saturday.
Charles, 76, 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.
The monarch appeared in good spirits on Friday morning as he was seen leaving Clarence House in London in a black Audi.
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish