KABUL, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan has expressed sympathy and condolences over loss of lives in Indonesia caused by a tsunami that struck the coastal areas of the country on Saturday, said Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses its sympathy due to the death and injury of hundreds of citizens of the Republic of Indonesia, caused by the tsunami that hit the country," the ministry said in a statement.

Earlier Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the losses and damages caused by the recent tsunami in Indonesia. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, government and people of Indonesia,"

Abdullah stated that Afghan people "stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Indonesian at this difficult time."

According to the latest media reports, the death toll in the devastating tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption has reached 281, with 1,016 injured.