World offers condolences and help after massive earthquake hit Turkey
Rescue and relief teams from many countries of the world set out to Turkey for help and the government leaders gave condolences messages after a major earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck southeastern Turkey killing hundreds of people.
GREECE
“Greece is mobilizing its resources and will assist immediately ... (we are) deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake disaster,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote in a tweet.
ARMENIA
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also said Armenia was ready to provide assistance to Turkey.
“Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said on Twitter.
THE UNITED STATES
U.S President Joe Biden directed federal government agencies to assess response options to the most affected areas in the Turkey and Syria earthquake that shook the region on Monday morning killing more than 200 people accross countries.
“The United States is profoundly concerned by the reports of the destructive earthquake. We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
EUROPEAN UNION
Janez Lenarcic, member of the EU Commission responsible for crisis management and humanitarian aid also made a statement on Twitter.
“The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is coordinating the deployment of rescue teams from Europe. Teams from the #Netherlands & #Romania are already on their way,” he said on Twitter.
RUSSIA
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin also offered condolences and Russian Minister of emergency situations, Aleksandr Kurenkov, said teams of 100 search and rescue personnel are on standby to be sent to Turkey with two Il-76 transport planes.
THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said a search and rescue team from the Netherlands will travel to the region of southeastern Turkey and northern Syria that was hit by a devastating earthquake.
“Terrible news about the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Our thoughts are with all the victims of this severe natural disaster,” Rutte tweeted.
ISRAEL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities were preparing to send aid and assistance to Turkey following the deadly earthquake there.
He said Israel was readying to send search and rescue teams and medical aid, after a request from Turkey’s government.
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev sent a message of condolence to President Erdogan and said his country was sending a search and rescue team of 370 people to the earthquake-affected areas.