President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge has written to Chinese President Hu Jintao, extending the support of the IOC and the entire Olympic Movement to the Chinese people after the deadly earthquake that jolted the country Monday.

"We send our deepest felt condolences for the victims. The Olympic Movement is at your side, especially during these difficult moments. Our thoughts are with you," the IOC chief said in a statement posted on the IOC website Tuesday.

Commenting later Tuesday on hearing of the reported rising death toll, Rogge said, "This appears to be a major disaster, the scale of which is only just becoming apparent. I feel deeply for those affected and join in solidarity with the people of China."

Messages from the IOC have also been sent to the President of the Organizing Committee for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Liu Qi.

The 7.8-magnitude quake rocked Wenchuan County, 159 km northwest of the southwest Sichuan Province's capital of Chengdu, at 2:28 PM (0628 GMT) Monday, killing thousands of people in eight affected provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)