Balkan officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, and Slovenia expressed their condolences following the mine explosion in Bartın.
Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Presidential Council Sefik Dzaferovic expressed his condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following the mining explosion in Bartın via his social media account.
Dzaferovic stated, “Mr President Erdoğan, I received with great sadness the news of the accident in the mine in Bartın, in which at least 40 miners lost their lives, and many more were injured. Please convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. On behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina and myself, I convey my feelings of solidarity to you and the Turkish people.”
A statement from the Islamic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina said, “We are deeply saddened and shaken by the news about the tragedy. The victims of this tragedy and all Turkish people are in the prayers of Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Serbia
In his message, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia noted, " Mr President Erdoğan, my dear friend, I received with great sadness the news of the terrible accident that occurred in the mine in northern Türkiye, in which many people lost their lives. On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia and myself, I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased miners and workers, to the Turkish government and citizens, and to you.”
A statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia via its social media account noted, “We are shocked by the explosion in the mine quarry in Türkiye’s Bartın province. We convey our condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.”
Montenegro
In a message of condolence, Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic of Montenegro said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident in the coal mine in northern Türkiye, in which 40 miners lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and the friendly people of Türkiye.”
North Macedonia
President Stevo Pendarovski of North Macedonia posted tweets in Turkish, Macedonian, and English on his official Twitter account.
In the tweet, Pendarovski hash-tagged President Erdoğan and said:
“Heartfelt condolences to President Erdoğan, the families of the miners and the Turkish people for the horrific tragedy and the loss of lives in the coal mine in Bartın. Wishing for a swift recovery of the injured.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani of North Macedonia also expressed sadness over the mine explosion in Bartın, in which nearly 40 lives were lost, saying, “My deepest condolences to (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and hope that all trapped miners will be rescued.”
Albania
In her message, Speaker of the Parliament of Albania Lindita Nikolla used the phrase "sad news from Türkiye," mentioning in the tweet her counterpart Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT).
Noting in her tweet that 28 people lost their lives in a mine explosion in Bartın, and the search for dozens more continues, Nikolla went on to remark, “I share the deep pain with families of victims and express my solidarity with Turkish people, the GNAT and its Speaker.”
Kosovo
President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo offered her heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the tragic mine explosion, saying, "Our thoughts are with their loved ones, the injured, and the people of Türkiye at this difficult time."
Slovenia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia shared a post on their official Twitter account, stating, “Deeply saddened by the tragic mine accident in Bartın province, Türkiye. Our thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”