RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government Friday sent its condolences to the victims of the massive earthquake in Mexico and Hurricane Irma, which hit the Caribbean.
In statements released earlier in the day, the government expressed their "solidarity to the injured" and "condolences to the families of the victims" of both disasters. It also expressed condolences to the governments and people of the countries affected by the hurricane and the earthquake.
The Brazilian government said they are monitoring the situation carefully. So far, there are no reports of Brazilian victims in the two natural disasters. Brazilian embassies and consulates stand ready to assist any Brazilian nationals in need of help in affected countries.
On Thursday, the Brazilian government announced that the United Nations allowed part of the Brazilian contingent in Haiti to remain in the island for a few more days to render assistance to the country in case of need, as Haiti is on the route of Hurricane Irma. Brazil's participation in the UN mission to Haiti officially ended in August.
Irma is considered the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. On its path through the Caribbean, it has turned tourist islands into emergency zones.
On late Thursday, a powerful earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale struck off Mexico's southern coast, killing at least 61 people.
