CAIRO: Egypt has expressed its condolences and sympathy to the government and people of China, which was hit on Monday by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province that left 74 people dead and 26 missing.

“Egypt wished a speedy recovery for the injured, and affirmed its solidarity with China in this painful incident,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out effort” to save lives and reduce losses. He stressed the need to step up efforts in earthquake monitoring, disaster prevention, and shelter for those affected.

In the city of Luoding, the epicenter of the earthquake, the electricity, water and telecommunications infrastructures were severely damaged.

Monday’s earthquake was the strongest in Sichuan since August 2017, when a 7-magnitude earthquake struck.