President Erdoğan offers condolences, aid to Italy after devastating earthquake
A drone photo shows the damages following an earthquake in Saletta, central Italy, August 26, 2016. (REUTERS Photo)


President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered his condolences to his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella Friday after a devastating earthquake killed more than 270 people in central Italy this week.Erdoğan called Mattarella late Friday and said that Turkey shares the pain of Italian people and stands ready to lend any support if needed.Mattarella for his part, also extended his condolences for those who were killed during the July 15 coup attempt, adding that they were happy to see it was thwarted.The Italian president underlined that the two countries share a historic friendly relationship and confirmed Erdoğan that his country fully supports Turkey's EU membership bid.At least 278 people died in Wednesday's powerful pre-dawn earthquake that shook remote mountain villages in central Italy.The disaster comes seven years after an earthquake in the nearby city of L'Aquila left 300 people dead, raising questions about Italy's ability to prepare for seismic events.