China has offered to support the United States’ humanitarian efforts related to the deadly tornado that ripped through multiple Midwestern and Southern states on Friday.
A spokesperson with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), told reporters on Monday that China is willing to “provide emergency humanitarian help” to those impacted by the natural disaster.
“We have noticed that a number of U.S. states have been hit by severe tornadoes recently, causing significant casualties and property damage,” CIDCA spokesperson Xu Wei said, according to state-run media CGTN.
“We expressed our condolences and willingness to provide emergency humanitarian help to the affected people according to the needs of the U.S. side,” he added.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also told reporters that Beijing is offering its condolences to those impacted by the tornado.
“China extends sympathy over the heavy casualties and economic losses caused by tornadoes in six middle states in the US including Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee. We wish the injured a speedy recovery and hope the affected people could rebuild their home soon,” he said.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, more than 100 Kentuckians were killed in the devastating tornado.
“I know we’ve lost more than 80 Kentuckians. That number is going to exceed more than 100. This is the deadliest tornado event we have ever had. I think it’s going to be the longest and deadliest tornado event in U.S. history,” Beshear told CNN. “We know that one of these tornadoes was on the ground for over 227 miles and 200 were in Kentucky. I have towns that are just gone. I mean gone.”
“It is hard to describe,” the governor continued. “I know people can see the visuals, but that goes on for 12 blocks or more in some of these places. And it’s going to take us time. You think you can go door-to-door to check on people and see if they’re ok – there are no doors. The question is is someone in the rubble of thousands upon thousands of structures. It is devastating.”
In addition to the more than 100 people who were killed in Kentucky, at least six people were killed in Illinois after the roof of an Amazon warehouse collapsed, four people were killed in Tennessee, two were killed in Arkansas and two more died in Missouri.
“Today Kentucky is absolutely united. We are united with our people; united to find and rescue as many as possible; united to grieve; and united to be here for our impacted families – not just today, but in the years to come so that we can rebuild together,” Beshear tweeted.
