Foreign ministers of China and Japan have sent letters to Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury expressing their sympathies to the victims of the natural calamity.

In his message, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims and the bereaved families. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, expressing sorrow, also hoped that the "situation will be brought under control" soon.

Similar messages were received by the foreign adviser from Foreign Minister U Nyan Win of Myanmar and Acting Foreign Minister Aigars Stokenbergs of Latvia.

"All of them are our friends and we deeply appreciate their expression of sympathy which flows out of their deep feelings for us," said Iftekhar while speaking to the media.