At least 8,574 people were killed and 49,133 others injured after two strong earthquakes on Monday jolted southern Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.
In a visit to the quake-hit region to inspect rescue and relief efforts, Erdogan said a total of 6,444 buildings were destroyed.
Türkiye has mobilized all the resources for post-quake efforts, Erdogan said in Kahramanmaras, adding: “The state is working with municipalities, especially with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), with all its means.”
More than 96,670 search and rescue personnel are currently conducting operations in the field, the AFAD in a statement earlier Wednesday.
“As a result of the negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,309 personnel coming from other countries for help were dispatched to the disaster area,” it added.
11:30
At least 6,234 people were killed and 37,011 others injured in Türkiye after two strong earthquakes on Monday jolted the southern part of the country, the country’s disaster agency said on Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.
The 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, struck 10 provinces and affected more than 13 million people.
Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, felt the two major quakes that struck in Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours.
More than 79,100 search and rescue teams are currently conducting operations in the field, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said in a statement.
“As a result of the negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,309 personnel coming from other countries to help were dispatched to the disaster area,” it added.
For search and rescue operations to be carried out rapidly, Türkiye on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for three months in 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.
“We are facing one of the biggest disasters not only of the history of the Turkish Republic but also of our geography and the world,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Türkiye is observing a seven-day national mourning after the devastating quakes.
All national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice. All schools in Türkiye will be closed until Feb. 13, and education in the 10 affected provinces are suspended until Feb. 20.
After the quakes, condolences poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.
09:30
The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquakes in southern Türkiye rose to 5,894, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said early Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Speaking at a news conference, Oktay put the number of injured from the massive quakes centered in Kahramanmaras province at 34,810.
“The loss of every citizen deeply saddens us,” Oktay told reporters, adding that authorities are continuing their rescue efforts to reach out to survivors.
As many as 5,775 buildings collapsed, he said. More than 8,000 people have been rescued from the rubble of the buildings.
Earlier Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “the fact that over 8,000 of our citizens have been rescued from the wreckage is our greatest relief,” speaking at the State Information Coordination Center in the capital Ankara.
The country has declared a state of emergency for three months in 10 provinces in order for search and rescue operations and other efforts to be carried out rapidly.
“We’re facing one of the biggest disasters not only of the history of the republic but also of our geography and the world,” said the Turkish president.
Early Monday morning, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Kahramanmaras, followed by a 7.6-magnitude quake about nine hours later, which rocked the region, affecting several other provinces including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa.
The earthquake was also felt in several countries in the region including Lebanon and Syria.
A total of 60,218 emergency officials are working in the area, including 3,200 personnel from 65 countries, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said in an earlier statement.
Türkiye is observing a seven-day period of national mourning after the deadly quakes.
All national sports events in Türkiye have been suspended until further notice, and all schools in Türkiye will be closed until Feb. 13, and the schools in the 10 affected provinces until Feb. 20.
After the initial earthquake, an air aid corridor was created by the Turkish Armed Forces to deliver search and rescue teams to the region.
A high number of transport aircraft, including A-400Ms, dispatched search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes are also using the air aid corridor.
Nearly 9,000 Turkish soldiers also rushed to the aid of citizens in the field.
In addition, the flights of two Akinci drones, used to coordinate work in disaster areas, continue.
Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food and psychological support teams were also sent to affected regions.
After the quakes, condolences poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.