Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed condolences over the demise of the Head of the Data and Information Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

"Sugeng kondur (so long goodbye), Pak Topo. Our prayers accompany you to meet the Creator (Almighty God)," the Foreign Minister wrote on her Instagram account @retno_marsudi, Sunday.

Condolences were also conveyed by the minister to Sutopo's wife, Retno Sutopo.

Innallillahi wa innallillahi rojiun ( We belong to Allah and to Allah we shall return), she said on her instagram account.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pak (Mr) Topo coordinated a lot in handling disasters. Mr. Topo (Sutopo Purwo Nugroho) and I have been on one stage ... received the award "Special Award for Humanitarian Diplomacy Leader", December 18, 2018. Allow me to quote one of Pak Topo's wise message ... "Life is not determined by how long we live, but how useful we are to other people". Goodbye Mr. Topo ... The dedicated figure has overtaken us ...," she said.

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Sutopo died on Sunday at 02:20 local time at Guangzhou St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital, while undergoing treatment related to lung cancer he suffered.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Guangzhou has coordinated with all relevant parties in China, such as the head of the hospital, Customs, and the head of Garuda Indonesia (Indonesian flag carrier) representative office to ensure that Sutopo's body can be returned home as soon as possible.

Related news: Sutopo's remains expected to arrive in Indonesia on Sunday evening

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