Bangladesh to observe a day of mourning for earthquake victims in Turkey, Syria

Almost 10,000 people have died in the earthquakes that rocked southeast Turkey and war-torn Syria

Bangladesh has announced a day of state mourning for the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad on Thursday, the Cabinet Division announced.

Special prayer services will also be organised in all religious institutions across the country.

Almost 10,000 people have been killed in the devastating earthquake that rocked southeast Turkey and war-torn Syria early on Monday. It toppled thousands of buildings including hospitals, schools and apartment blocks, injured tens of thousands, and left countless people homeless.

BANGLADESHI SUPPORT TEAM

Bangladesh is sending a 60-strong combined support team to Turkey on Wednesday night to join in the rescue and relief work, said Brig General Main Uddin, director general of the fire service.

Apart from 12 members of the fire service , 24 army personnel and 10 doctors will be in the team.

The Turkish government has sought international aid after the powerful earthquake killed thousands.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence prepared the rescuers for the combined support team from the armed forces on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's instructions, Main Uddin said in a briefing at its headquarters in Old Dhaka.

This is the first time the fire service is sending such a big team abroad.

Earlier five members went to Nepal, according to Main Uddin.

The rescue team with light equipment will stay in Turkey for seven days.

In separate condolence messages on Monday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen assured his Turkish and Syrian counterparts of support.

Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Osman Turan said in a tweet: "We are grateful to the government and people of Bangladesh for their grief, tribute and support."