(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-13 13:06

Ottawa -- Canada offered condolences to China over the heavy life and property losses in a devastating earthquake that hit its southwest Sichuan province on Monday.

"We are greatly saddened by the news that thousands lost their lives and that hundreds of children who were at school at the time are trapped in the debris," said a joint statement issued by Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier and Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation.

"Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy and their families," said the statement. "Canada stands ready to help should China request any assistance in its humanitarian relief efforts."

A 7.8-magnitude quake occurred in Wenchuan county Monday afternoon,killing thousands of people in eight affected provinces.