Australian Prime Minister John Howard expressed sympathy to Indonesia which was hit by a tsunami Monday.

"Might I ... take this opportunity of extending my sympathy to the government and people of Indonesia for the loss of life as a result of the latest tsunami and to wish the recovery efforts every success," Australian Press Association quoted Howard as saying on Tuesday.

More than 200 people were reportedly killed when a tsunami hit Pangandaran near the town of Ciamis, 270 km southeast of Jakarta.

The tsunami was triggered by a powerful undersea earthquake.

Source: Xinhua