7th February 2023 – (Istanbul) More than 4,372 people have been killedĀ and over 15,834 injured in Turkey and Syria two powerful earthquakes yesterday which caused thousands of buildings to collapse in both countries. The US Geological Survey recordedĀ at least 77 aftershocks, including a major one at 7.5 magnitude. Three of the aftershocks have measured 6.0 or greater.
At least 3,432 deaths have now been confirmed in Turkey and at least 21,103 people have been reported injured. Ā Almost 26,000 search and rescue personnel have been involved in operations, along with 360 vehicles and 3,361 pieces of equipment, including more than 600 cranes, it said. Additionally, 2,769 personnel from 65 countries have been deployed to the disaster area. In Syria, the death toll has risen to at 1,602 across government-controlled areas and opposition-controlled areas, officials said.
At least 3,649 people have been reported injured across the country, according to officials.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden āreaffirmedā that the United States is ready to help Turkey. Russia has provided more than 300 soldiers to help in search and rescue operations in Syria.
Turkey activated the EU civil protection mechanism, a structure designed to deal with manmade and natural disasters, Balazs Ujvari, the spokesperson for humanitarian aid and crisis management at the European Commission, told DW. Firstly, the EU dispatched almost 20 rescue teams coming from 17 European countries for Turkey. Japan, Iraq and Iran also sent aid shipments and rescue teams to assist. In addition, Australia and New Zealand also announced a combined total of US$11.5 million in aid for victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
New Zealand will also humanitarian support to those affected by the devastating earthquakes, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Tuesday.
Turkey lies in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones. In 1999 a deadly quake killed more than 17,000 in the north-west. The country’s worst earthquake disaster was in 1939 when 33,000 people died in Turkey’s eastern Erzincan province.