King Charles 'deeply saddened' as he sends prayers to Pacific island nation devastated by earthquake
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King Charles has sent his prayers and thoughts to a small country in Oceania after it was devastated by a massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake. The official number of 14 confirmed deaths from December 17, and more than 200 people injured was expected to rise.
He posted a statement on the Royal Family social media channels saying he was 'deeply saddened' by the tragedy. He shared his thoughts and prayers in both English and Tok Pisin, which is spoken in some areas of Vanuatu, along with Bislama, which is the second language of the country.
Tok Pisin is a 'market language', meaning it's used as an everyday language between people who don't speak a common language. It has characteristics of different languages. It's primarily made up of English vocabulary, but the origin of its syntax is debated.
READ MORE: Major King Charles cancer update as palace source reveals 'positive' news. In his statement the King said that he and Queen Camilla were left "deeply saddened to learn of the magnitude of the earthquake which struct Vanuatu". In full he said: "My wife and I have been deeply saddened to learn of the magnitude of the earthquake which struck Vanuatu on Tuesday and the loss of life and property which this devastating natural disaster has left in its wake.
"I am aware, from my visit to Vanuatu and Port Vila in 2018, of the extraordinary spirit of ni-Vanuatu, which has been called upon too often in recent years with repeated cyclones and, now, with this terrible earthquake. "At this most difficult of times, I wanted you and all the people of Vanuatu to know that you are remembered in our thoughts and prayers, and that we send you all our deepest sympathy and heartfelt wishes. Charles R.".
