Mofaz made the offer to send search-and-rescue specialists with special equipment and sniffer dogs to help find victims of the quake during a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Vecdi Gonul, the spokesman said.

Israel had already sent such teams when thousands were killed and injured by the huge earthquakes that struck northwest Turkey in August and November

According to official sources, at least 84 people were killed in the Wednesday earthquake and between 150 and 200 were still trapped under rubble.

The two countries have strong relations, including a military agreement signed in 1996, and Turkey is popular holiday spot for Israelis.

SPACE.WIRE