Leaders from three Balkan countries sent condolences to China over the heavy life and property losses in the devastating earthquake that hit its southwest Sichuan Province on Monday.

Serbian President Boris Tadic said in a telegraph of condolence to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, saying "The citizens of Serbia are deeply moved with the loss of a large number of lives. Please receive my deepest condolences and tell the families of the deceased and to the people of China that we sympathize with them at this difficult time."

Slovenia Prime Minister Janez Jansa and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic also sent condolences to President Hu.

The earthquake, measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale, rocked southwest China Monday afternoon. The death toll in Sichuan Province alone has reached 8533, local authorities said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)