Skopje, 6 February 2023 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said Monday that eight Macedonian nationals were at the earthquake-hit areas in Turkey, two of whom are injured.  

“Our representatives from North Macedonia are in contact with the Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul, that’s how we got the information regarding our citizens who were at the earthquake-hit areas, and they also got in touch with their families. According to the information, eight of our citizens were at those locations, two of whom were injured, with one sustaining more serious injuries and underwent surgery,” Osmani told a press conference after the OSCE Conference on Combating Antisemitism.   

He expressed assurance that North Macedonia’s diplomats have already arrived at the earthquake-hit areas and more details will be available soon.  

Osmani also said the Government has scheduled an extraordinary session at 5:00 p.m., whereat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will first report on the available information from Turkey, and will propose conclusions regarding direct aid and aid coordination that the Government can provide and send to the Republic of Turkey immediately.  

In addition, Osmani said he has expressed his condolences over the tragic event to the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs on Monday.  

According to latest information, the death toll from Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has now climbed to over 2,000 people.