Today (3 September), Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences to his Indonesian counterpart Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda concerning the earthquake disaster on the Indonesian island of Java. His letter reads as follows:

”I am deeply shocked at the reports of the earthquake on the south coast of Java which has claimed so many lives. Allow me, also on behalf of my fellow Germans, to express our heartfelt condolences to you and the Indonesian people.

At this difficult time our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and with all those who have lost everything in this earthquake. Our deepest sympathy goes out to them. We wish the injured a speedy recovery, and we share your hope that those still unaccounted for can be rescued unharmed.“