U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed condolences over the earthquake that struck eastern Turkey on October 23.

“I join President Obama and send my deepest condolences to the people of Turkey in the wake of today's earthquake. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those killed and injured,” Secretary Clinton said. “The United States stands ready to assist in the effort to rescue survivors and we are committed to the people of Turkey as they recover and rebuild.”

At least 217 were killed and more than 1,000 people injured when a powerful earthquake struck Turkey, collapsing dozens of buildings and pulling down phone and power lines in the southeast of the country, officials and witnesses said. More than 1,000 people are feared killed in the earthquake.

Another magnitude 6.1 earthquake, which was the second to rock the country in the past 24 hours, was registered about 20 km (12 miles) from the city of Van at the depth of some 10 km (6.2 miles).