Amsterdam  - Dutch fans of Michael Jackson were in shock on Friday over the sudden death of the pop star.

Hundreds sent their condolences to a special internet register www. condoleance. nl which opened within an hour of the news of his death on Thursday.

"You will always remain the King of Pop," one fan wrote on the website.

"My biggest pop idol has gone, but I hope you will now have peace."

Janneke van der Linden, spokeswoman for the 1,600-member Dutch Michael Jackson fanclub, said fans were "shocked" by the news.

"I am tremendously sad," she said, adding she had been watching the television news reports throughout the night.

Van der Linden also said she hoped Jackson would "continue to live through his music."

"I became his fan because of his musical talent. It is a shame the world can no longer enjoy this."

All Dutch morning newspapers led with the news of the sudden death of the US pop musician, most of them publishing Jackson's picture on the front page. (dpa)