UK prime minister, King Charles send Erdogan condolences, express support

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak "pledged the UK's steadfast support" to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Tuesday.

The prime minister "expressed his deep condolences for the tragic loss of life", Downing Street said.

Sunak also brought up the "deeply concerning" humanitarian situation across the border in the rebel-held northwestern region of Syria, where Turkey plays an important coordinating role.

Erdogan thanked the premier for the country's "solidarity" after a 77-strong British search and rescue team landed in Gaziantep on Tuesday.

King Charles also offered his "thoughts and special prayers" with all those affected by the earthquakes.

"I can only begin to imagine the scale of suffering and loss as a result of these dreadful tragedies and I particularly wanted to convey our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who have lost their loved ones," he said in a message to Erdogan.