British, Turkish teams extend condolences for mine victims

ISTANBUL

Galatasaray has lowered its flag to half-staff after three days of national mourning was declared.

The grief of killed and trapped miners in Turkey’s western province of Manisa has also touched the field of sports with the U.K.’s Liverpool, along with Turkish clubs, expressing condolences.

“We express our condolences for the families of people who lost their lives in Manisa, Soma and the whole of Turkey,” a post from the official Turkey account of Liverpool read.

Chelsea issued a statement on its Twitter account. "Our thoughts are with everybody in Turkey at this time, particularly those affected in Manisa," it said.

“Thoughts & sympathies to all who have suffered as a result of the mining disaster in Turkey, the homeland of our director,” a separate posting by the official account of Sheffield United said in reference to their senior Turkish employee Selahattin Baki.

Turkey’s Beşiktaş and Galatasaray football team’s squads held one minute of silence before their training early on May 14 in commemoration of the tragedy.

Many Turkish football teams have extended their condolences on their websites.