Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent her condolences to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the heavy loss of life in the powerful earthquake that struck China's south-western province of Sichuan on Monday.

An official statement quoted the chancellor as saying the German government was also ready to provide speedy assistance.

China confirmed at least 7,650 people had died in the 7.8- magnitude quake, which struck at 2:28 pm (0628 GMT) in Wenchuan county, and could be felt in cities hundreds of kilometres away, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok. (dpa)