Earthquake rocks İzmir

PRESIDENT Ersin Tatar expressed his condolences to Turkey yesterday after a powerful earthquake struck the Aegean city of İzmir.

The 7.0 magnitude quake was felt as far away as İstanbul and the Greek capital Athens, triggering a mini tsunami that caused flooding in İzmir and the Greek port of Samos. At the time of going to press at least four people were reported to have died and 20 buildings had collapsed.

“We are deeply saddened by the earthquake that has struck our motherland’s beautiful city of İzmir,” Mr Tatar said in a statement.

“Our wish is for the damage to be overcome in the lightest of ways . . . we wish our brothers and sisters who have lost their loved ones our condolences and wholeheartedly wish for a speedy recovery.”

Mr Tatar also said he had called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to offer his condolences. The earthquake had caused “great sorrow” in the TRNC, he added.

Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars said: “We deeply feel the pain and concern for the people who live in İzmir and the surrounding areas.”

The National Education and Culture Ministry said in a statement: “We hope that the earthquake in İzmir . . . has not given way to a loss of life or injury. We wish the local people a speedy recovery.”

Lefkoşa Mayor Mehmet Harmancı said: “The painful images have made us very sad. I hope that there has been no loss of life.

“As Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality, we stand in solidarity in helping to heal the wounds of İzmir and the Aegean region.”