Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Over 6,200 Killed; Turkish Prez Erdogan Declares 3-month State of Emergency in 10 Provinces

© Provided by News18 Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Over 6,200 Killed; Turkish Prez Erdogan Declares 3-month State of Emergency in 10 Provinces

Turkey-Syria Earthquake updates: Fifth major aftershock of magnitude 5.7 hit the eastern region of Turkey on Tuesday. The death toll following a major 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and in neighboring northwest Syria reached over 6,200 on Tuesday, while hundreds are still believed to be under the debris as rescuers dig through the rubble. As of Tuesday morning, the toll in Turkey stood at 3,419, while in Syria it increased to 1,602.

The magnitude 7.8 quake rippled through both countries early on Monday, toppling entire apartment blocks, wrecking hospitals, and leaving thousands more people injured or homeless. Freezing winter weather hampered search efforts for survivors through the night into Tuesday.

Dozens of nations have pledged aid after the quake–the strongest one in the region in nearly a century– hit as people were still sleeping and amid freezing weather that has hampered emergency efforts.

Multi-storey apartment buildings full of residents were among the 5,606 structures reduced to rubble in Turkey, while Syria announced dozens of collapses, as well as damage to archaeological sites in Aleppo.

The head of Syria’s National Earthquake Centre, Raed Ahmed, called it “the biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the centre”.

Turkey declared seven days of mourning for the dead.

The rescue was being hampered by a winter blizzard that covered major roads in ice and snow. Officials said the quake made three major airports in the area inoperable, further complicating deliveries of vital aid.

Monday’s first earthquake struck at 4:17am (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 18 kilometers (11 miles) near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around two million people, the US Geological Survey said.

The initial quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks, including a 7.5-magnitude tremor that jolted the region in the middle of search and rescue work on Monday.

More than 12,000 people are injured in Turkey, the disaster management agency said, while Syria said at least 3,411 people were injured.

Meanwhile, India has also dispatched the first batch of earthquake relief material to Turkiye aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft. The shipment consisted of an expert National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search and rescue team, including both male and female personnel, highly-skilled dog squads, an array of medical supplies, advanced drilling equipment, and other crucial tools required for the aid efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke about the devastating earthquake which has hit Turkey and Syria and noted that India is providing all possible assistance. Addressing the first BJP parliamentary party meeting after the Union Budget was presented on February 1, he said an Indian team is on the way with all the assistance. PM Modi also recalled the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, noting the scale of the tragedy and how he can relate to the situation in these countries.

(with inputs from agencies)

Read all the Latest News here