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According to media reports, the death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 4,300, as rescuers race against the clock to find more survivors amid heavy rain and snow in the two neighboring countries.
According to the BBC, the death toll in Turkey stood at 2,921, while in Syria it had risen to 1,451.
According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), at least 15,834 people were injured, and 7,840 people were rescued alive.
According to the AFAD, at least 5,606 buildings have been destroyed, and 14,720 people, including military personnel, are currently providing assistance in the disaster zone, according to the Xinhua news agency.
At 4.17 a.m. on Monday, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s southern province of Kahramanmaras, followed by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Gaziantep province.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the 7.8-magnitude quake’s epicentre was 23 kilometers east of Nurdagi in Gaziantep, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers.
At around 1.30 p.m, athird 7.5-magnitude tremor hit Kahramanmaras, which officials said was “not an aftershock”.
Throughout the day, more than 60 aftershocks were recorded.
Meanwhile, in Syria, 711 people were killed across government-controlled areas, mostly in Aleppo, Hama, Latakia, and Tartus, according to CNN, citing state news agency SANA.
The “White Helmets” organization, officially known as Syria Civil Defence, reported 740 deaths in opposition-held areas.
During the ongoing bloody civil war that began in 2011, anti-government forces control much of northwestern Syria, which borders Turkey.
According to the BBC, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the death toll could rise dramatically as search and rescue operations continue in both countries.
Heavy rain hampered rescuers as they searched for survivors in the Turkish city of Osmaniye, close to the epicentre.
In the aftermath of the devastation, the city was left without power.
The earthquake also caused significant damage to three airports in Turkey, complicating aid delivery even further.
Several countries have sent rescue teams to help the stricken region and have offered support.
US President Joe Biden spoke earlier to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirming “the readiness of the United States to provide any and all needed assistance”.
In a statement, the White House said Biden “noted that US teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and co-ordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items”.
On Monday, India announced that two teams of 100 NDRF personnel, including specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment, were ready to be flown to the affected areas.
Medical teams were also being prepared with trained doctors and paramedics as well as necessary medications. Relief supplies would be delivered in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Turkey, the Indian Embassy in Ankara, and the Consulate General in Istanbul.
On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his government would provide a “initial” $10 million in aid to humanitarian organizations, while New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced $1.5 million in aid.
President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea issued an order to send rescuers and emergency medical supplies to Turkey.
The European Union is sending search and rescue teams to Turkey, while rescuers from the Netherlands and Romania are already on their way.
The United Kingdom has stated that it will send 76 specialists, as well as equipment and rescue dogs.
France, Germany, and Israel have also offered assistance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Iran, have offered assistance to Turkey and Syria.
According to the USGS, Monday’s earthquake was the strongest to hit Turkey since 1939, when a tremor of the same magnitude killed 30,000 people in Erzincan province.
According to the USGS, earthquakes of this magnitude are uncommon, with fewer than five occurring each year on average anywhere in the world.
In the last 25 years, seven earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have struck Turkey, but Monday’s is the most powerful.
The earthquake on Monday was strong enough to be felt as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, and Israel.
Source:OCN
