https://arab.news/y9z72
- More than 3,380 people are already known to have been killed in Turkiye with at least 1,500 in Syria
- No reports of Saudi citizens caught up in disaster, embassy in Turkiye says
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign ministry expressed its solidarity and sympathy to Syria and Turkiye after an earthquake rocked both countries along their border, early on Monday morning.
The first earthquake – at 7.8 magnitude - struck at about 4 a.m. local time on Monday, the second – at 7.7 magnitude – struck shortly before 2 p.m. as the search and rescue work continued.
More than 3,380 people are already known to have been killed in Turkiye with at least 1,500 in Syria, but the death toll continues to rise.
In a statement the ministry said Saudi Arabia was closely monitoring the situation in the disaster-hit area.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered his condolences to Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, offering the Kingdom's support, while also offering his condolences to the families of victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Saudi embassy in Turkiye said on Monday it had not received any reports of Saudi citizens affected by the disaster, and added it was following up with Turkish authorities to ensure that there were no citizens in the affected area.
Meanwhile, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also made two phone calls to President Bashar Assad of Syria and President Erdogan.
He offered his condolences to the two presidents and the citizens of both nations, and offered to provide assistance.
The Emir of Kuwait, Nawaf Al-Sabah in a letter to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his condolences to the President and the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to the injured.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry conveyed its condolences and solidarity with Turkiye and Syria in a statement, affirmed its readiness to provide help.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also extended its condolences to Turkiye and Syria.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also extended condolences to Turkiye and Syria over the deadly earthquake that left hundreds dead in both countries. OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha called the OlC Member States and relevant institutions to contribute to the rescue efforts.