RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Brazilian Foreign Ministry on Friday released an official statement regretting the deaths and damage caused by the tornado in east China's Jiangsu province.

"The Brazilian government and people express their solidarity to the families of the victims and their deep regret to the government and people of China," the statement said.

The Thursday tornado, which was accompanied by heavy hail, left 98 people dead and more than 840 injured, according to the latest count. It also inflicted massive damage to buildings, power lines and vehicles.
According to the statement, the Brazilian consulate in Shanghai is monitoring the situation.

So far, there has been no news of Brazilian nationals among the victims of the tornado, it added.