Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Friday expressed sympathy and deep condolences for those affected in Oman by the Cyclone Gonu this week in a message to his Omani counterpart Yussef bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

Gonu, the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the region since 1977, reached the coastal areas of Oman early Wednesday, causing the evacuation of thousands of people and a three-day suspension of Oman's oil and gas exports.

Some 25 people have been confirmed dead in Oman as a result of Gonu, Oman News Agency reported Thursday night.

Source: Xinhua