U.S., Israel Offer to Help Turkey over Mine Disaster

The United States and Israel on Wednesday offered to help Turkey, which was reeling from a mine disaster which killed 245 workers.

"On behalf of the American people, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and our best wishes for the safe exit of the remaining miners," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

"Turkey is a close and long-standing friend and ally of the United States. We are ready to assist the Turkish government if necessary. And we will continue to stand together in this time of tragedy."

Israel also offered help to Ankara in its hunt for scores of miners feared trapped after a deadly pit explosion in western Turkey, its emergency services chief said on Wednesday.

"Immediately after the catastrophe in Turkey, we sent our offer of help to the Turkish Red Crescent, and Magen David Adom teams are ready to deploy as soon as they receive the authorization," the head of Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, Eli Bin, said in a statement.

An electrical fault set off a huge explosion in the coal mine in the Manisa province town of Soma on Tuesday, killing at least 245 people.

The mine's operator said on Wednesday that close to 450 of its staff had been rescued. But hopes were fading for an estimated 120 miners still believed to be trapped.

Relations between Israel and Turkey have been strained since a 2010 Israeli commando raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla of aid ships left nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists dead.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, on a visit to Norway, sent his condolences to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

"At times of tragedy, we must all do what we can to help one another and we have offered Turkey whatever assistance you require at this time," he said in the letter.