Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Friday, September 2 expressed condolences over the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov who is officially alive, media reports said.

"Uzbek President Islam Karimov has passed away," Yildirim said.

"May God's mercy be upon him, as the Turkish Republic we are sharing the pain and sorrow of Uzbek people."

The Uzbek government said earlier on Friday the health of Karimov, who has been in hospital since last Saturday, had sharply deteriorated.