In a condolence message sent to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today, Speaker Penpa Tsering said: "The Tibetan Parliament in Exile is very much saddened and aggrieved by the loss of lives and property caused by the earthquake that affected your state and other neighbouring states on the 18th of September 2011."
"In the ongoing session of the Parliament, the first resolution that we adopted this morning was to express our grief and solidarity with the people of Sikkim in this hour of crisis. We pray for the noble rebirth of all those people who lost their valuable lives in Sikkim, Nepal and in Tibet. We also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who were injured," the message noted.
"...We hope and pray that under your able leadership the state and your people will recover from this catastrophe very soon," it noted.
The Parliament also observed a minute's silence in memory of all those who died and those who are in hospital.
Meanwhile, the Central Tibetan Administration also described what happened in Sikkim as "tragic and sad". "It is really unfortunate that many people have died not just in Sikkim but also inside Tibet as well," Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay told reporters this morning.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who are undergoing very painful experiences in their community and family," Dr Sangay said.
An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale which shook Sikkim on Sunday evening has killed 42 people in India, five in Nepal and seven in Tibet, and over 100 injured, NDTV reported. Out of 42 deaths in India, 35 people, including two Armymen, were killed in Sikkim and many others received injuries there.
Strong tremors were also felt in parts of North and East India and parts of Bangladesh and Nepal, causing widespread panic. The epicentre of the quake is said to be just 64 kilometre North-West of Gangtok.