![Greek leadership expresses condolences to Turkey over devastating quakes; first rescue unit dispatched](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/greece-turkey-flags-aegean-758x400-3.jpg)
Greek leadership on Monday expressed deep condolences and a willingness to immediately dispatch assistance to earthquake-ravaged southeast Turkey and northwest Syria.
A massive 7.8 on the Richter scale earthquake struck the region on Monday, just after noon local time, followed by an equally destructive 7.6 magnitude quake and numerous aftershocks.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed what he described as sadness over the devastating earthquakes, in a phone call to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while conveying the condolences of the government and Greek people over the loss in human life.
He reiterated Athens’ readiness to immediately assist the neighboring country in every way possible in dealing with the repercussions of the natural disaster.
According to reports, Erdogan thanked Mitsotakis for the support and Athens’ immediate response.
Immediately after the phone contact, a civil defense team of 21 rescue fire-fighters, accompanied by two canine rescue units and a multi-purpose crane vehicle, departed for southeast Turkey aboard a Hellenic Air Force transport plane.
The group is accompanied by a fire brigade civil engineer, five physicians and first responders, as well as the head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, Prof. Efthymios Lekkas.
On her part, Greece’s President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressed her shock over the disaster caused by the twin earthquakes, while expressing her and the Greek people’s sincerest condolences.
In a first reaction, coming via Twitter, the Greek foreign ministry stressed that Athens was “…Profoundly saddened by the loss of life & damage following the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye & Syria. Our thoughts are w/ the victims’ families, the injured & the rescue crews fighting to save lives. Greece has mobilised its resources & is ready to provide assistance.”
In second announcement, the ministry stated that “On the instructions of FM @NikosDendias @GreeceInGeneva came immediately in contact with @UNOCHA and announced Greece’s emergency contribution to address the consequences of the earthquakes & provide humanitarian assistance, through OCHA, to Türkiye and Syria.”
Finally, main opposition leader and former premier Alexis Tsipras stressed that “Deepest condolences to the peoples of Türkiye and Syria and to the families of the victims of this devastating earthquake. Int’l assistance more necessary than ever. Greece has announced readiness to support immediately.”
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country