BEIJING -- China expresses deep condolences to the victims in the recent landslide in the Marra Mountains area of western Sudan and profound sympathy to their families, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the deadly disaster.

"China expresses condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families," Guo said.

According to reports, the death toll from the August 31 landslide in a village has surpassed 1,000.