At least 16,170 people were killed and 64,194 others injured by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye earlier this week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, according to Anadolu Agency.
The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, were felt on Monday by 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.
Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, felt strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours.
“The earthquake affected an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometers (about 42,470 sq miles). This is equal to or greater than the area of many countries in Europe.
A total of 28,044 people were evacuated from quake-hit regions, AFAD said in a statement.
“As of 11.38 a.m. (0838GMT), a total of 28,044 citizens were evacuated from the disaster area, 4,607 by road and railway and 23,437 by air,” it said.
Evacuees are being placed in accommodation areas and guesthouses designated by provincial governors’ offices and AFAD, it added.