UNITED NATIONS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid condolences on Tuesday to the Indonesian people who suffered from a recent earthquake.

    In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban said he is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property suffered by the people of Indonesia after the recent earthquake in Sumatra.

    "The United Nations has been in contact with the government of Indonesia and stands ready to lend its assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs create by the disaster, including by using existing resources and providing from emergency funds, and to mobilize international support for that response," the UN chief said.

    At least seventy people were killed and hundreds of people were internally displaced after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia's West Sumatra province on Tuesday. ¡¡