SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has sent condolences to Leung Chun-Ying, chief executive of China' s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on the recent ferry collision off the coast of Lamma Island that claimed 38 lives.

In his letter, Lee said he was deeply saddened to learn of the collision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Lee said he sent his deepest condolences to Leung, the families of the victims, as well as the people of Hong Kong for their loss.

"Our thoughts are with you and your people in this time of sorrow," he said.

The collision on Monday night involving a ferry and a boat claimed 38 lives. It was the worst maritime accident in Hong Kong in over 40 years.