Turkey expresses ‘deep sorrow’ for earthquake in Haiti

Turkey expressed “deep sorrow” for the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit Haiti, the Turkish foreign ministry said late Saturday.

“We received the news with deep sorrow that an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude occurred in southwestern part of Haiti, which has resulted in the loss of many lives,” said the statement.

It noted that Turkey extends condolences to the “friendly people and Government of Haiti and to the families of those who lost their lives” while wishing a speedy recovery for those injured.

The quake struck Saturday morning, leaving at least 304 people dead and more than 2,000 injured, said the country’s civil defense agency.

The epicenter was 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

Authorities said hundreds of injuries have been decimated from the ruins in search and rescue efforts, while the exact number of casualties is unknown.

The country, which has suffered huge devastation and tremors, has called for international help.

One of the world’s most deadly earthquakes in the last century occurred in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.

According to official figures, 316,000 people died and 300,000 were injured in the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that occurred in the south of the country.

About 1.3 million people were left homeless in aftermath.