World leaders send condolences to Turkey after major earthquake

Duvar English

A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Turkey's southeastern province of Maraş early on Feb. 6, killing at least 5,434 people and collapsing thousands of buildings.

The White House sent its condolences to those who got affected by the earthquake and stated that U.S. President Joe Biden had instructed the relevant departments to consider aid options for the areas most affected by the catastrophe.

“We activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism after the earthquake that occurred in Turkey this morning,” said Janez Lenarcic, Head of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Unit.

Lenarcic said the European Union's Emergency Coordination Center is coordinating the dispatch of rescue teams from Europe.

Sharing his condolences in Turkish language, Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Turkey.

Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis said, "We are deeply saddened by the devastating catastrophe that occurred in Turkey and Syria. Greece is mobilizing its resources and will help immediately."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that his country is ready to help, "on behalf of the Israeli people, I express my deep sorrow for the earthquake disaster that took place in Turkey last night. I offer my condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish people for the loss of life."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said "Terrible news about the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Our thoughts are with all the victims of this severe natural disaster. A Dutch search and rescue team will travel to the region today. I have conveyed my condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan."

On the other hand, Azerbaijan announced that it is sending a search and rescue team consisting of 370 professionals to help AFAD (Turkish search and rescue team) and others. In his message, president İlham Aliyev sends his support and condolences to their “brother country.”

Saying "terrible images coming from Turkey and Syria," French president Emmanuel Macron shared his condolences and state that France is ready to send support.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he is in contact with Turkey and NATO allies were organized for support.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia stated that it is ready to help with the earthquake that occurred in Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş. Sharing its condolences, the Russian Ministry said, "Due to the earthquake, 2 Il-76 aircraft carrying a search and rescue team of 100 people are ready to be sent to Turkey."

Russian Embassy in Ankara also released a statement sending condolences to those affected by the earthquake, “We convey our best wishes to all our Turkish friends and hope to overcome this disaster with the least damage.”

In a written statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that Egypt offered condolences to those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The message also says Egypt is "ready to help to face this disaster."

A major earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck southeastern Turkey on Feb. 6 at 4:17 a.m. local time.

The magnitude of the earthquake was initially announced as 7.4, but both Kandilli Observatory and Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) later revised the magnitude to 7.7.

A second earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck the same region nine hours later.

As of Feb. 7 evening, at least 5,434 people were killed and more than 31,000 people were injured due to quakes, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced.

Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) announced on late Feb. 6 that at least 5,775 buildings collapsed as a result.

Five million people live in the region affected by the earthquake. The population of the ten affected Turkish provinces exceeds 13 million.