Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie went to the Turkish Trade Office in Taiwan to express his condolences.

(Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

[Reporter Lu Yixuan/Report from Taipei] A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale hit southern Turkey on the 6th local time, with a focal depth of only 17.9 kilometers. It was the largest earthquake in the region in a century.

Since the epicenter was not far from the border between Turkey and Syria, the strong earthquake caused heavy casualties in both Turkey and Syria. At least 15,383 people were killed in the strong earthquake in the two countries.

Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie went to the Turkish Trade Office in Taiwan this morning (9th) to sign a condolence book to express condolences and condolences.

Wu Zhaoxie wrote in his condolence book: "I would like to express my sincere condolences and condolences to the victims of the strong earthquake in Turkey and their families. At this painful moment, Taiwan will firmly support Turkey. Come on, Turkey!"

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Muhammed Berdibek, Turkey's representative to Taiwan, once again thanked the Chinese government for sending a search and rescue team to the rescue immediately, and expressed his heartfelt thanks to Taiwan for providing US$2 million in aid, as well as the kindness of Taiwanese people and business organizations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that at present, the Chinese government has dispatched a total of 130 search and rescue teams and 5 search and rescue dogs to Turkey. Accompanied by Huang Zhiyang, the Chinese representative in Turkey, they have successively entered the disaster-stricken Adıyaman province to participate in the search and rescue work.

The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency in 10 southern provinces for a period of three months to speed up disaster relief efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again appeals to Chinese citizens living in Turkey or traveling on business in Turkey to continue to be vigilant in order to maintain their own safety and pay attention to aftershocks that may occur at any time.

If you need assistance in an emergency, you can call the emergency contact number of our representative office in Turkey: +90-532-322-7162, or contact the emergency contact center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 0800-085-095 to obtain necessary assistance.

Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie wrote in his own handwriting: "I would like to express my sincere condolences and condolences to the victims of the strong earthquake in Turkey and their families. At this painful moment, Taiwan will firmly support Turkey. Come on, Turkey!" (provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)