The Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai have expressed their condolences to the people of Turkey after the devastating earthquake that struck the country. According to a Nation Thailand report, a Thai search and rescue team is being sent to the disaster zone.
The death toll from the quake, which struck the southern part of Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday, has surpassed 12,000, with reports of 1 Thai citizen having died. Numerous other Thais are among those who have had their homes destroyed and are now living in temporary government-provided accommodation.
In a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the PM expressed his condolences and wished the Turkish people strength and courage during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, the Thai ambassador to Ankara, Apirat Sugondhabhirom, has urged Thais who are planning to enter Turkey to study the routes to their destinations and stay updated to avoid the affected areas.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara can be reached on 90 (533) 641 5698 or via its Facebook page. The embassy is sending a 20-member urban search and rescue team to the disaster zone where thousands of buildings are confirmed to have collapsed. Over 8,000 people have already been rescued alive from the rubble.
Turkish President Erdogan has declared a state of emergency in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.8 and 7.7.
The World Health Organisation has estimated that the final death toll could reach 20,000, but some experts predict that the number could be much higher, possibly reaching over 100,000.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
