Zambia says stands by Türkiye following devastating earthquakes

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambia said Thursday it stood by Türkiye following the devastating effects of two earthquakes that struck earlier this month.

Foreign minister Stanley Kakubo signed a book of condolences at the Turkish Embassy in Lusaka in honor of the victims.

"Zambia stands by Türkiye during this difficult period. As we wish quick recovery to the injured and fortitude to the survivors, we pray that the bereaved families and indeed the entire Turkish nation, are granted God’s wisdom, strength and comfort at this time of great sorrow,” he wrote in part.

Kakubo was received by Türkiye's Ambassador to Lusaka Istem Circiroglu who led him through the book's signing.

President Hakainde Hichilema conveyed his condolences and solidarity to Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria Arab Republic's Bashar al-Assad on Feb. 8 for the tragic loss of lives and injuries in the earthquakes.

At least 43,556 people have been killed and more than 105,000 injured by the earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to officials.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude quakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa and Elazig.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in less than 10 hours.