UPDATE - Turkish president sends condolences to Palestinians over deadly Gaza fire

UPDATES WITH CONDOLENCES FROM TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

By Handan Kazanci and Burak Bir

ISTANBUL/ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish president on Friday conveyed his condolences to the “friendly and brotherly Palestinian people” over the death of 21 Palestinians after a fire ripped through a building in the Gaza Strip.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of 21 Palestinian brothers, including children, in the fire disaster in Gaza,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter.

Erdogan wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Turkish Parliament Speaker also offered his condolences to the Palestinian people.

"I wish Allah's mercy on our children and brothers who lost their lives in the fire disaster in the Gaza, the Jabalia refugee camp," Mustafa Sentop said on Twitter.

The fire erupted Thursday at a building in the Jabalia refugee camp where residents were attending a party.

Reports said the fatalities included women and children, while many other people were injured.

A statement by Palestinian Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said President Mahmoud Abbas declared a period of national mourning Friday.

Jabalia is one of eight refugee camps in the area, which is home to 2.3 million people and is one of the world's most densely populated locations.