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Home  » News » 3 massive quakes jolt Turkey, Syria; over 2,600 dead

3 massive quakes jolt Turkey, Syria; over 2,600 dead

Source: ANI   -  Edited By: Utkarsh Mishra
Last updated on: February 07, 2023 00:02 IST
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The most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,600 people.

IMAGE: Rescue workers search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Photograph: Sertac Kayar/Reuters

The 7.8-magnitude night-time tremor, followed hours later by two more big ones, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the 7.8 magnitude quakes as the country's "biggest disaster" since 1939.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centred in the Pazarcik district in the southern province of Kahramanmaras. The quake occurred at a depth of 7 kilometres (4.3 miles).

IMAGE: People search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Photograph: Sertac Kayar/Reuters

AFAD said in a statement that 78 aftershocks occurred following the earthquake.

Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis provinces are heavily affected by the quake, as per Anadolu Agency.

"The number of people rescued from the rubbles has reached 2,470. The number of buildings that collapsed is 2,818," Erdogan said.

IMAGE: People search through rubble following the earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Photograph: Sertac Kayar/Reuters

Vice President Fuat Oktay said at a news conference that Erdogan has been taking up the updates and reviewing the relief efforts since the moment of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the world leaders to condole the loss of lives caused by the massive temblor in Turkey and Syria on Monday.

"Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy," PM Modi tweeted.

IMAGE: Rescue operations at the site of a damaged building in Jandaris. Photograph: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda condoled the deaths caused by the massive temblor in Turkey and Syria on Monday.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of dozens of civilians in the devastating earthquake in Turkey. On behalf of the Government of Nepal and the people of Nepal, I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved people while paying emotional tributes to the deceased," the Nepal PM tweeted.

The US National Security Advisor also took to Twitter to assure Turkey of timely assistance.

He tweeted, "The US is profoundly concerned by today's destructive earthquake in Turkiye & Syria. I have been in touch with Turkish officials to relay that we stand ready to provide any & all needed assistance. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye."

IMAGE: Rescuers work amid the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey on February 6, 2023. Photograph: Screengrab/Reuters TV

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to Twitter to extend his condolences to the kin of the earthquake victims.

"We stand with the people of Turkey at this difficult time. We are ready to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the disaster," Zelensky tweeted.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also tweeted his condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria in a series of tweets.

Israel President Isaac Herzog also condoled the loss of lives in Turkey and Syria on Twitter.

"The State of Israel always stands ready to assist in every way possible. Our hearts are with the grieving families and the Turkish people at this painful moment," Herzog posted.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Galant said the country was prepared to provide emergency aid to Turkey after it was jolted by one of the most powerful earthquakes in over a decade.

The 7.8 temblor and its aftershocks also severely damaged Gaziantep Castle in Turkey, which ranks among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

With inputs from agencies

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Source: ANI  -  Edited By: Utkarsh Mishra