On a message sent to President Xi Jinping, the Nicaraguan Executive acknowledged the Chinese Government’s leadership in the search and relief efforts after the catastrophe.

“We ask you, Xi, to convey to the affected families and communities our respectful sisterhood in these times of calamity, which we know are effectively attended to by the Party and the Government of that magnificent country,” the Executive stressed.

The text, signed by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, expressed Nicaragua’s unity and sisterhood in view of that challenge “which we know will be overcome soon and fully.”

According to media reports, the earthquake occurred at 11:59 hours, local time, on Monday, December 18, and its epicenter was located on the border between the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to China’s Seismological Network Center.

The Government sent 1,440 firefighters to the region to support the response to the disaster and 1,603 other firefighters from the affected region, and neighboring provinces are mobilized to move if necessary.

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