Russia offers help after Indonesia quake

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday offered condolences and offered help to Indonesia after the country was struck by another devastating earthquake.

The deadly 8.7-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's Nias island early Tuesday three months after the December tsunami that killed at least 175,000 people.

"With deep regret I learned of yet another deadly natural disaster in Indonesia," Putin said in a telegram to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, according to a Kremlin statement.

"On behalf of all Russians, I offer sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the dead," Putin's message said.

He said Russia was prepared to provide help to Indonesia.

Russia sent more than 600 tons of humanitarian cargo in the wake of the Dec. 26 calamity, and helped several thousand victims in hospitals set up to treat survivors.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it had no information that any Russian citizens had suffered from the latest disaster.

Associated Press