His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his deep shock at the tragic death of hundreds of our fellow human beings and the injury of many others, due to the strong earthquake in southeastern Turkey, in letters to the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, as many areas of his jurisdiction were affected.

His All-Holiness expressed his support for those affected, as well as the warm condolences, sympathy and support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, praying that the all-good God may grant rest to the souls of the victims and strengthen their families and loved ones in their period of deep mourning. He also wished the injured a speedy and complete recovery, as well as an intensification of the efforts of the rescue crews and of the medical and nursing staff of the hospitals treating the injured.