Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in Sunday's launch capsizing incident in Bangladesh.

"Shocked to learn that a double-decker launch has capsized in the river on Meghna in Bangladesh, causing heavy losses of lives and property," said Wen in a message to his Bangladeshi counterpart Begum Khaleda Zia.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and in my own name, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims and sincere solicitude to your excellency and through you to the bereft families," added Wen.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2004)