"Unfortunately, many people were dead or injured in the earthquake, which took place last night in northern Kurdistan and the Kurdish populated areas of Turkey. We offer condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking incident and share their pain. We wish urgent healing for those who were injured. We hope that the necessary assistance will be offered to the earthquake victims as soon as possible," the statement said.

The earthquake, centered on Sivrice district in Elazığ, occurred at 20:55 local time on 24 January. The magnitude of the earthquake was determined to be 6.7. The earthquake was felt in neighboring provinces of Elazığ, Diyarbakır, Malatya, Adıyaman and Samsun. Kandilli Observatory revised the size of the earthquake to 6.5. 

At least 22 people were killed and more than a thousand were injured, according to Turkish officials. (ILKHA)