UPDATE - 'Thoughts and prayers': World leaders condole with Turkey over forest fires

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS BY GEORGIA’S PRIME MINISTER, KAZAKHSTAN’S PRESIDENT, EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY, CHANGES HEADLINE, SPOT, LEDE

By Ali Murat Alhas, Davit Kachkachishvili, Meiramgul Kussainova and Gulsen Topcu

TBILISI, Georgia / NUR SULTAN, Kazakhstan / KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia / ISTANBUL (AA) – Many world leaders on Saturday conveyed their condolences to Turkey, where forest fires have led to deaths and material damage.

"Malaysia expresses sincere condolences over the loss of lives caused by the forest fires in Turkey, including in Antalya - the hometown of my brother Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu," Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on his social media account.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of Turkey in these trying times," he added.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing sorrow. He said Kazakhstan is ready to offer humanitarian assistance to Turkey, and wished Erdogan success in fighting the disaster.

Separately, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said “we are closely following the news of large-scale forest fires occurring in the southern regions of Turkey, our friend, our strategic partner."

Garibashvili stressed that Georgians are in solidarity with Turkey in these difficult times. "I am ready to give any assistance to neighboring Turkey on behalf of the Georgian government," he said.

The Egyptian administration said the country is monitoring the latest developments in Turkey. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed condolences with the relatives of those who lost their lives and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Egypt is on the side of the fraternal Turkish people in the fight against this natural disaster, it said.

Since July 28, as many as 98 forest fires have erupted in Turkey, with most of them being in southern regions. The Turkish authorities managed to control 88 of them, and six people lost their lives.

The Turkish president has visited areas affected by forest fires, saying 50 million (Turkish) liras [$5.91million] have been released to meet urgent needs.

*Writing by Merve Berker