Kurdistan Region's President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Barham Salih have expressed their condolences to the people of Van in Turkey following an earthquake that has killed and injured many.

Their tributes reflect the great sorrow and concern felt by the people of the Kurdistan Region for the victims of the earthquake. Television channels in Kurdistan have carried a black stripe on the screen as a mark of respect to those who have died in the disaster.

President Barzani, in a letter to Turkey's President Abdula Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayib Erdogan, said, "It is with sorrow that we received news of the earthquake in Van which has killed many civilians and caused considerable damage in the area. I would like to share my sympathy and people of Kurdistan Region’s sympathy with you and families of the victims. My God grant you patience and bless the victims’ souls, and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured."

Prime Minister Barham Salih, in letters to Mr Erdogan and to Bakir Kaye, head of Van Council, expressed the condolences of the Kurdistan Regional Government and of Iraqi-Kurds with the people of Van.