President Nicolae Timofti and Prime Minister Iurie Leanca sent letters of condolence to their Turkish counterparts in connection with the death of 200 people in a tragic coal mine accident in Manisa province in the evening of May 13, IPN reports.

Nicolae Timofti addressed Turkey’s President Abdullah Gül, saying he found out about the tragic accident with deep sadness. “In these difficult moments, we are near you and the whole Turkish people. In the name of Moldova’s people and in my name, I express our sincere condolences, compassion and solidarity to the grieving families,” reads the letter of the head of state.

Iurie Leanca’s letter of condolence to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says the Moldovan people are near the people of Turkey in this difficult time. In the name of the Moldovan Government, he offered his condolences to the Turkish people.