Turkish president offers condolences over death of Japanese doctor in quake in eastern Turkey

ANKARA (A.A) - November 11, 2011 - Turkish president sent on Friday a condolence message to Japanese emperor over death of a Japanese doctor in Wednesday's powerful earthquake in the eastern province of Van. In his message to Japanese Emperor Akihito, President Abdullah Gul offered his condolences over death of Japanese doctor Atsushi Miyazaki in magnitude-5.6 earthquake in Van and expressed sorrow that a Japanese aid volunteer Miyuki Konnai was injured in the same quake.  "We will always remember with gratitude and respect these devoted people who have once more gained hearts of Turkish people with their efforts in Van," Gul said in his message. Gul said aid of Japanese government and people after the earthquake was an indicator of friendship between the two countries and nations. Relief teams reached Atsushi Miyazaki under rubble of a demolished hotel 13 hours after Wednesday's earthquake and immediately sent him to hospital after giving him a heart massage. Despite efforts, Miyazaki died in the hospital. Miyuki Konnai was rescued after the earthquake and was brought to Ankara on Friday for medical treatment. She has been taken under medical treatment at Ankara's Ataturk Teaching and Research Hospital.  Turkish disaster management authority said on Friday that 13 people including a Japanese citizen lost their lives but 30 people were pulled alive from the rubble after the magnitude-5.6 earthquake. On October 23, Van had been hit by an earthquake measuring 7.2 on Richter scale. 601 people were killed and 4,152 others were wounded in the quake. 188 people were pulled alive out of the debris.