UPDATE - Pakistan, India offer condolences over losses in Türkiye earthquake

UPDATES WITH BANGLADESH'S CONDOLENCES, CHANGES DECK

By Aamir Latif and Ahmad Adil

KARACHI, Pakistan, NEW DELHI, India (AA) – The leaders of Pakistan and India offered condolences over the loss of lives and infrastructures in two massive earthquakes that jolted the southeastern region of Türkiye on Monday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Türkiye in this trying time.

"Deeply saddened by the news of a massive earthquake that struck southeastern region of Türkiye. I send my profound condolences and most sincere sympathies to my brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the brotherly people of Türkiye on the loss of precious lives and damage to infrastructure," he said.

He said that Islamabad will lend "all possible help" to Ankara as Türkiye has always stood alongside Pakistan in testing times.

"Climate change and natural disasters are no longer restricted to any particular region. It has become an issue of the survival of the humanity and planet," he added.

In a message, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is anguished by the loss of lives and damage to property due to the earthquake.

"Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," Modi wrote on Twitter.

The premier also said India stands in solidarity with the people of Türkiye and is "ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy."

Meanwhile, the top diplomats of both countries also expressed grief over the loss of lives in Türkiye.

According to a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grief and solidarity, saying the government and people of Pakistan stand in complete solidarity with Turkish people in this hour of grief.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for early recovery of those injured," it added.

India's Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he is "deeply distressed by the loss of lives and damage in the earthquake in Türkiye."

He said he conveyed "our condolences and support at this difficult time" to his Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Also, Bangladesh expressed condolences over the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, which was felt in several neighboring countries in the region, including Lebanon and Syria.

"I express my deepest condolences to the government and people of Türkiye on the tragic loss of lives in the deadly earthquake…," Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in a letter addressed to his Turkish counterpart Cavusoglu.

"Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that Bangladesh stands beside the brotherly people of Türkiye and is ready to extend any kind of help at this particular time," Momen said.

At least 1,498 people were killed and 8,533 others injured when two strong earthquakes jolted southern Türkiye on Monday, according to the country's disaster agency.

*Md. Kamruzzaman in Dhaka, Bangladesh contributed to this story.