ADDS PHONE CALL; CHANGES DEATH TOLL, HEADLINE, DECK
By Mahmoud Barakat and Diyar Guldogan
ANKARA (AA) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday offered condolences over the loss of lives and infrastructure in massive earthquakes that jolted the Turkish southeast.
“On behalf of the Israeli people, I am deeply saddened by the enormous disaster that has befallen Türkiye following last night's earthquake,” Herzog tweeted. “My condolences to President Erdogan and the Turkish people for the loss of life and destruction of livelihoods.”
He asserted that “Israel always stands ready to assist in every way possible.”
“Our hearts are with the grieving families and the Turkish people at this painful moment,” he added.
In a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Herzog also voiced condolences over those who lost their lives in the quakes and wished recovery to the injured, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement.
At least 1,541 people were killed and 9,733 others injured in 10 provinces when two strong earthquakes jolted southern Türkiye on Monday, Vice President Fuat Oktay said.
Early Monday morning, a strong 7.7 earthquake jolted Kahramanmaras and strongly shook several other provinces, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis.
Later, at 13.24 p.m. (1024GMT), a 7.6 magnitude quake also centered in Kahramanmaras struck the region.