Prime Ministers Office 10 Downing Street
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an this afternoon, following the devastating earthquakes which struck Trkiye and Syria. He expressed his deep condolences for the tragic loss of life and pledged the UKs steadfast support.
The Prime Minister confirmed that a 77-strong British search and rescue team arrived in Gaziantep today with specialist equipment and dogs, in response to a request from the Turkish government, and will immediately start work assisting with the rescue effort.
President Erdo?an thanked the Prime Minister for the UKs solidarity in response to this tragedy and welcomed international search and rescue and medical support for the initial emergency response.
The Prime Minister also noted the deeply concerning humanitarian situation over the border in North-West Syria, where Trkiye plays an important coordinating role, and set out how the UK has increased support to aid organisations