Georgian PM signs book of condolences at Turkish Embassy following earthquake in country

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday signed the book of condolences at the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi over Monday’s devastating earthquake that left more than 18,342 killed and thousands injured in the country. 

After extending his condolences to Ali Kaan Orbai, the Turkish Ambassador to Georgia, the head of the Georgian Government expressed his “sincere sympathy” to the Turkish people and families who lost their loved ones in the disaster, and wished a “speedy recovery” to those injured, the Government press office said. 

The Georgian PM on Friday came to the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi to sign the book of condolences. Video: Government press office 

• Georgia “one of the first” offering aid to Turkey after quake - Ambassador

On behalf of the Government of Georgia and the Georgian people, as well as from me personally, I express strong solidarity with Turkey at this difficult time”, said the PM’s note in the book. 

Earlier on Friday Garibashvili also signed a decree allocating ₾1million ($374,000) from the Government’s reserve fund to deliver medicine, food, clothes, medical equipment and other necessities for survivors of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. 

PM Irakli Garibashvili extending his condolences to Ali Kaan Orbai, the Turkish Ambassador to Georgia. Photo: Government press office. 

More than 100 Georgian professionals left for Turkey on Monday and Wednesday, following the PM’s instructions, to ensure aid for the neighbouring country in search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the major quake. 

The latest figures released early on Friday showed over 18,342 people had been killed in Turkey and at least 3,377 in Syria in the disaster.