Dozens of Bangladeshis including former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad and leaders of major parties have come to the Chinese embassy to express their condolences for the victims since the condolence book was opened Monday morning.

In Laos, Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh signed a condolence book on Monday at the Chinese embassy to express his sadness at the tragedies caused by the earthquake, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Tuesday.

"On behalf of the party, government and people of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, may I express my deepest sadness and share the sadness with the party, government and people of China, especially the families and relatives of the victims of this earthquake in Sichuan province." read the prime minister's message.

At least 34,073 people have been confirmed killed so far in the May 12 earthquake, which measured 8.0 on the Richter scale. China has declared May 19-21 a national mourning for the quake victims.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2008)