Biden directs team to provide all needed assistance

The US President Joe Biden said he directed his team to provide all needed assistance in Turkey, following the earthquakes.

Expressing “deep sadness” by the loss of life and devastation caused by the quakes in Turkey which also rocked Syria, Biden said “I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance.”

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance.

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 6, 2023

At least 1,651 people were killed and 11,119 injured in two major earthquakes that struck Southeastern Turkey on Monday. The quakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 respectively, have also rocked the other side of the border, killing at least 846 people in Northern Syria.

According to a White House statement, two teams each including 79 people are set to depart for Turkey.