Foreign leaders and dignitaries have expressed their sympathies to the Philippines after Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, left at least 188 people dead and a trail of destruction across central provinces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., expressing solidarity with the Filipino people amid the tragedy.
“Please accept my profound condolences over the numerous human casualties and large-scale destruction caused by the typhoon that struck the central regions of your country,” Putin said in a message published on the Kremlin website on Friday.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also conveyed his deep sorrow to the President over the devastation caused by Kalmaegi.
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the president, the families of the deceased, and the friendly people of the Philippines, wishing for the safe return of the missing, a speedy recovery for the injured,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud likewise sent a cable of condolence to Marcos, extending his sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of the Philippines.
Similarly, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf extended his sympathies through a telegram addressed to the President.
“The Queen and I wish to express our deepest and most sincere condolences on the tragic loss of lives caused by the devastating typhoon,” the King said.
“We also wish to offer our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and to the people of the Philippines.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive devastation caused by the typhoon” in the country.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Malaysia, I extend our deepest condolences to families of the victims and to all those affected by this tragedy,” he wrote on Facebook.” Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Philippines they begin to rebuild their communities.”
Meanwhile, Timor-Leste announced it will deploy 120 engineers and firefighters to support recovery and rehabilitation efforts in areas hardest hit by the typhoon.
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall eight times, devastating several provinces and prompting the government to declare a national state of calamity. The death toll is expected to rise, with 135 people still reported missing.
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