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Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Putin offers assistance to Turkey, Syria in wake of powerful earthquake

An earthquake that measured a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale hit the Kahramanmaras province in southeastern Turkey in the early hours of Monday

© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences on Monday to his Turkish and Syrian counterparts, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar Assad, respectively, in the wake of a massive earthquake that left hundreds dead.

The Russian leader also said that Moscow was ready to render all necessary assistance to both Ankara and Damascus.

"Dear Mr. President, please accept my deep condolences over the numerous human casualties and widespread destruction caused by the powerful earthquake in your country," the Russian leader said in a telegram to Erdogan published on the Kremlin’s website on Monday.

Putin asked Erdogan to convey his heartfelt sympathies and support to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those affected by the disaster. "We are ready to provide the necessary assistance in the wake of the earthquake," the Russian president assured.

In his telegram of condolences to the Syrian leader, Putin also offered his most sincere condolences to those who lost those near and dear to them and pledged assistance amid the aftermath of the deadly incident.

An earthquake that measured a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale hit the Kahramanmaras province in southeastern Turkey in the early hours of Monday. The latest report said 284 people were killed in the country, while the number of deaths in neighboring Syria reached 237. Turkish seismologists say the earthquake may be one of the region’s most devastating on record.

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Vladimir Putin Syria Recep Tayyip Erdogan Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

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