Istanbul - Offers of help and messages of condolence poured in from around the world yesterday.
"Many countries have volunteered and we are thankful to them," Mr Yahya Akkurt, the senior Turkish official in charge of the rescue operation, told BBC television. "For the time being, what we need is to have rescue teams of experts and excavation teams."
US Energy Secretary Mr Bill Richardson, in Turkey for talks with Turkish officials when the earthquake struck, immediately offered American assistance.
Speaking from his hotel room in Istanbul, Mr Richardson said: "We are ready to help. The Turkish government is preparing what they need in terms of us and other international donors."