The government of Kosovo has expressed its condolences to the victims of the two earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.

“The Republic of Kosovo and the people of Kosovo in these difficult moments are at the highest level of readiness for support and solidarity,” the announcement of the government said.

President Vjosa Osmani said Kosovo is ready to provide support through the Kosovo Security Force, KSF.

“My condolences to all the citizens affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey. My deepest condolences to all the lives lost and I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured. Full solidarity with the people of Turkey,” Osmani wrote on Twitter.

Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said that she had contacted her counterpart in Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and expressed her country’s ”deepest condolences for the loss of lives caused by the terrible earthquake.”

“We hope that those still missing will be rescued soon. Kosovo stands ready to help in every possible way,” Gervalla added on Twitter.

Two powerful earthquakes struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, killing at least 2,300 people. 

The US Geological Survey said the first 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 4:17am local time at a depth of 17.9km near the city of Gaziantep. 

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said that a second massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake in less than 12 hours hit the south-east of the country, with its epicenter near the city of Kahramanmaras.

People were killed across 10 provinces of Turkey. Besides the death toll, some 7,600 more were injured. 

The death toll in government-held areas of Syria was over 430 people, with 1,280 injured, according to international media. Syria’s health ministry said that more than 326 people had been killed and 1,042 injured.

The chairperson of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, Memli Krasniqi, on Facebook expressed condolences to the Turkish people.

“In these difficult and tragic moments, we share the pain with the Turkish state and people. I send my most sincere condolences to President Erdogan and all the families who have lost their loved ones. The people of Kosovo are with them in this difficult period,” he wrote.

Democratic League of Kosovo LDK chairman Lumir Abdixhiku expressed the LDK’s condolences to Turkey and Syria.

“All the citizens of Kosovo sympathize with the pain and stand in solidarity with the citizens of both countries in these difficult moments. We pray for the victims and their families,” wrote Abdixhiku on Twitter.

More than 10 search and rescue teams from the EU have been mobilized in the wake of the earthquakes that have hit Turkey, a spokesperson for the European Commission said on Monday, reported the UK Guardian.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described it as the nation’s worst disaster since 1939. 

“Everyone is putting their heart and soul into efforts, although the winter season, cold weather and the earthquake happening during the night make things more difficult,” Erdogan told reporters.

In 1999, a tremor of similar magnitude devastated Izmir, killing more than 17,000 people.