Fiji voices sympathy to Vanuatu over Tropical Cyclone Pam

Fiji has expressed sympathy to fellow Melanesian neighbor Vanuatu over the devastation caused by deadly Tropical Cyclone Pam, the Fijian government said Sunday.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent a message to his Vanuatu counterpart Joe Natuman, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

"Every Fijian joins me in expressing our shock and sympathy at the devastation caused to your nation by Tropical Cyclone Pam. The thoughts and prayers of us all are with the people of Vanuatu at this time of great crisis," Bainimarama said in the message.

"Please be assured of the full support of Fiji as you deal with the cyclone's aftermath and the challenge of rebuilding your wonderful country," Bainimarama said, adding that Fiji is "in the greatest solidarity and friendship" with Vanuatu.

Earlier in the day, Aurelia Balpe, Fiji-based head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Pacific, told Xinhua that at least eight people in Vanuatu were confirmed killed by Tropical Cyclone Pam, citing field reports from the Vanuatu Red Cross and local authorities, which said the death toll is likely to rise.

There are reports on dozens of deaths in Vanuatu's Penama Province, where the cyclone made its landfall and whole villages are reportedly to have been blown away, but the country's National Disaster Management Office could not immediately confirm those reports as communication with northern provinces remained down.

Tropical Cyclone Pam, category 5, was believed to have generated gusts of up to 330 kilometers per hour, and the gales extended some 380 kilometers from the storm center.

As an easterly neighbor of Vanuatu, Fiji issued a heavy rain alert but was largely unaffected by the cyclone's devastating force. Endi