Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Friday said: " What happened yesterday is a terrible catastrophe that we all were very saddened. May Almighty Allah rest the deceased souls in peace. I condole the Jordanian people and myself " (over the Dead Sea tragedy).

Chairing a National Policies Council (NPC) meeting to follow up on the incident that killed 21 people, most of them schoolchildren on a school outing, the King said "This tragic incident has touched the hearts of everyone in this country and the world who expressed their solidarity with Jordan during this difficult time."

His Majesty also urged on a detailed report that precisely determines what happened and identify those who might be primarily responsible for the deaths.

During the meeting at Al-Husainiah Palace, King Abdullah ordered to provide the best healthcare for the injured, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The King voiced appreciation of the Civil Defence Department personnel, the Jordan Armed Forces troops and paramedics who worked around the clock to evacuate the injured.

King Abdullah also thanked citizens who gave a hand and helped in the rescue operation. "This cooperation is a source of pride and is not alien to Jordanians", the King added.

" Jordanians continue to hold our heads high during difficult times", said the King.

Attending the meeting were HRH Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein, Advisor to His Majesty and Director of the King's office, the Prime Minister, Chief of the Royal Court, Deputy Premier and State Minister, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Advisor to His Majesty and National Policies Council Rapporteur, King's Adviser for Tribal Affairs, King's Advisor for Economic Affairs, ministers of interior, municipal affairs, education and higher education, housing and public works, legal affairs, media affairs and chiefs of public security and gendarmerie.