President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a condolence message to His Imperial Majesty Akithito, Emperor of Japan, on the occurrence of two earthquakes on the island of Kyushu, south-western Japan on April 14, and April 16, 2016, respectively.

Two powerful earthquakes hit the south-western island of Kyushu last week killing at least 42 people. More than 1,000 people are injured and there has been widespread damage to buildings, houses, roads and bridges. Big landslides cut off remote mountain villages. Eleven people are still missing.

On Thursday night, April 14, the city of Kumamoto was hit by a magnitude–6.4 quake; while again on Saturday, April 16, Kumamoto was hit by a magnitude – 7.3 quake.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, in her message on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in her own name, extended to His Imperial Majesty, and through him, to the Government and people of Japan, especially the bereaved families, “heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained”.

She prayed that the resilience and courage which the people of Japan are known to exhibit during difficult times will strengthen them during this period of mourning.

The earthquakes last week are the biggest to have hit Japan since 2011 when a 9.0 magnitude quake caused a huge tsunami, leaving more than 19,000 dead and missing.