UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and extensive damage caused by a large-scale flash flooding in Jordan, his spokesman said Thursday.
Guterres wished to convey his condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and the government of Jordan, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
The United Nations stands ready to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts, said the statement.
At least 17 people, most of them schoolchildren, were killed on Thursday when the bus they were traveling in was swept away in flooding near the Dead Sea, according to news reports. The bus was carrying 37 pupils and seven members of staff to the Zara Maeen hot springs area for sightseeing.
