In Photos: Thousands Killed in Turkey-Syria Earthquake, Millions Affected
Turkey-Syria earthquake: The WHO has warned the number of dead could rise to more than 20,000 in the coming days.
The death toll is expected to rise further amid large-scale rescue operations in both countries.
(Photo: PTI)
Vice President Fuat Oktoy said at least 5,894 people have died from the earthquake in Turkey. The death toll in Syrian government-held areas rose to 812 and the toll in the rebel-held northwest was more than 1,020, AP reported.
The earthquake occurred at 04:17 local time (06:47 IST) at a depth of 17.9 kilometres near the city of Gaziantep, as per the US Geological Survey. Another strong tremor of magnitude 7.5 shook the region in the afternoon. At least 35 aftershocks have rocked the region since the early morning quake of 7.8.
The death toll is expected to rise further amid large-scale rescue operations in both countries. Thousands of people have also sustained injuries, many of whom are in a serious condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the number of dead could rise to more than 20,000 in the coming days. “There’s continued potential of further collapses to happen so we do often see in the order of eightfold increases on the initial numbers,” Catherine Smallwood, the World Health Organization’s senior emergency officer for Europe, told AFP.
"It's now a race against time. Every minute, every hour that passes, the chances of finding survivors alive diminishes," World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said 34,810 people had been injured. In Syria, at least 3,700 have been injured in the earthquake, AP reported.
In a speech on Tuesday, Erdogan declared the 10 Turkish provinces affected as a disaster zone and imposed a state of emergency in the region for three months.
India is sending two teams of NDRF comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment to the earthquake-hit area in Turkey for search and rescue operations, the government said.
Medical Teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines. Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Government of Republic of Türkiye and Indian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul, an Indian government statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Turkey and Syria over the disaster.
"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 said.
"Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time," he added.
People walk next to a mosque destroyed by an earthquake in Malatya, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, civil defense workers and security forces search through the wreckage of collapsed buildings in Hama, Syria, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
People try to reach trapped residents in a collapsed building in Pazarcik, in Kahramanmaras province, southern Turkey
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