There are consecutive messages of solidarity and support from the Greek leadership to the Turkish people, while earlier – as announced by Civil Protection – special aid was sent to the earthquake victims of the neighbouring country.

The prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, had a telephone conversation with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after the deadly earthquake in Turkey. During the communication, the Prime Minister expressed his sadness over the devastating earthquake in Turkey and conveyed to Erdoğan the support and condolences of the government and the Greek people for the loss of human lives.

According to the information the phone call was made at 17:00 and lasted about 10 minutes including the translations. Mr. Erdogan was describing in detail what happened to the earthquake disasters and appeared shocked.

I just spoke to President @RTErdogan. On behalf of the Greek people, I extended my deepest condolences for the devastating loss of life and reiterated our readiness to provide all further assistance necessary.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) February 6, 2023

The Prime Minister reiterated Greece’s readiness to immediately assist Turkey in every way – and beyond the team that has already left for the region – in dealing with the consequences of the devastating earthquake. Mr. Erdogan thanked the Prime Minister for the support and immediate assistance.

Meanwhile, Greece sent a team of 21 firefighters from the 1st EMAK with two (2) rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle to aid in the search and rescue operations. The team is accompanied by an officer-engineer of the Fire Brigade with expertise in supporting columns in the ruins of collapsed buildings, five doctors, and rescuers from the EKAV as well as the president of the OASP.

?Στο αεροδρόμιο Ελευσίνας

H ?? αποστολή έτοιμη για αναχώρηση για παροχή βοήθειας στους σεισμόπληκτους #Τουρκία

?? Συνδράμουμε με κάθε τρόπο στις προσπάθειες αντιμετώπισης συνεπειών του καταστροφικού σεισμού με στόχο να σωθούν ζωές

? https://t.co/kvfj8oHcQE@GreeceInTurkiye pic.twitter.com/klK6ckt2cJ

— Χρήστος Στυλιανίδης – Christos Stylianides (@StylianidesEU) February 6, 2023

The mission departed at 17:07 with a C-130 from Elefsina airport. In a message on Twitter, the Minister of Civil Protection, Christos Stylianides, wrote that the Greek mission is ready to leave to provide aid to the earthquake victims in Turkey. “We are supporting in every way the efforts to deal with the consequences of the devastating earthquake with the aim of saving lives” continues his message.

President Sakellaropoulou offers condolences to Erdogan

After the telephone contact of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, contacted Tayyip Erdogan to express her condolences.

In the phone call after the 7.8 Richter earthquake, Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressed hope for a fast recovery for those injured and the rescue of as save as many lives as possible.

She also pointed out that Greece stands in solidarity with the trying Turkish people and offers practical support for the rescue operations.

The Turkish president thanked Sakellaropoulou both for the support of the Greek people and for the help already sent.