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Published 16:20 08 Feb 2023 GMT
Turkey and Syria have been rocked by two devastating earthquakes this week, with Reuters estimating that the death toll currently stands at over 11,000.
An initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border early Monday morning (February 6) at 04:17 AM local time, with a 6.7 magnitude aftershock being felt 11 minutes later.
It has become the deadliest quake in over a decade, after a 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan claimed the lives of almost 20,000 people. Now, Turkey and Syria are experiencing the effects of a major quake on a similar scale, with the death toll steadily increasing.
The initial earthquake could be felt across the world, including as far as Greenland and a 7.5 magnitude tremor then hit the region again as rescue missions were underway, per CNN.
On Tuesday (February 7) another earthquake - at 5.8 magnitude - hit central Turkey. As a result of the two devastating earthquakes, it has been suggested that close to 6,000 buildings have been destroyed across both Turkey and Syria.
Over 54,000 people have been wounded amid the disaster - a figure that includes more than 49,000 in Turkey alone, Forbes reports.
Rescue operations have increased as officials attempt to recover people trapped under collapsed buildings.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was the country's most devastating disaster since 1939 - a year that saw a 7.8 magnitude quake strike Turkey's eastern province of Erzincan, ending the lives of at least 30,000 people, per The New York Times.
"We were sleeping, then we collapsed on the ground, and when it stopped we left the building," said 24-year-old İbrahim Furkan Aydin of the horrific events this week, while speaking to NBC News. He and his mother were visiting from Istanbul and had arrived in Gaziantep on Saturday.
In the wake of the traumatic disaster, hundreds of human rights groups, NGOs, and crisis relief organizations (among others) have rallied together to help those affected in the region (of which Reuters is anticipating could be as many as 13 million).
Unfortunately, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has been subject to sanctions by the United States and across Europe, which has significantly slowed down the nation's ability to receive aid.
Moreover, in 2022 Russia vetoed a UN resolution that would have extended cross-border aid to Syria. Evidently, even prior to the earthquakes, Syria has long fallen victim to both political and logistical challenges. These have only multiplied in the wake of the natural disaster.
As a result, many countries are apprehensive about funnelling aid through the Syrian government - something that rescue workers on the ground say is already costing them lives, per AP.
Thankfully, there are certain groups that are currently involved in the relief effort in both Syria and Turkey. These include:
ShareTheMeal app - founded under the United Nations World Food Programme - is also a tool that has been used by hundreds of thousands of people across the globe to share a meal with someone in need.
Following the earthquakes, the app has a section dedicated entirely to the relief in Turkey and Syria. Users have several payment options - they can buy one meal or several depending on the size of the donation.
Governments from across the world are sending rescue teams and other supplies to the region hit by the quake, with President Joe Biden sharing a statement in the wake of the ordeal.
He said: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance."
Published 12:20 07 Feb 2023 GMT
Turkey has been hit by another earthquake early Tuesday morning, a day after two others devastated the country and neighboring Syria, with the death toll currently around 5,000 people.
An initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border early Monday morning at 4:17 AM local time, with a 6.7 magnitude aftershock being felt 11 minutes later.
The initial earthquake could be felt across the world, including as far as Greenland and a 7.5 magnitude tremor then hit the region again as rescue missions were underway, per the Daily Mail.
The BBC reported that the region is susceptible to earthquakes, as it is located on the Anatolian tectonic plate which sits between the Eurasian, African, and Arabian plates which essentially caused Turkey to be "squeezed."
Early Tuesday morning, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Turkey. Although these tremors occurred at a shallower depth, this can sometimes cause more damage - though it is currently unknown how much it caused.
The World Health Organization (WHO) have stated that they believe the death toll could rise to 20,000, and 23 million people could be affected by these natural disasters, as cited by the Daily Mail.
Turkey’s vice president, Fuat Oktay, said 3,419 people had been killed in the quake while the death toll on the Syrian side of the border rose to 1,602 early Tuesday, as reported by the Guardian.
World leaders have rallied to offer support to the region affected by the earthquakes, with the UK sending 70 rescue specialists and sniffer dogs to help with the rescue efforts.
The UN, the EU, NATO, and the governments of the US, UK, China, Russia, India, Japan, Iraq, Iran, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, and Pakistan have offered both resources and experts to assist in the rescue operations.
Ibrahim Haskologlu, a Turkish journalist, told the BBC that people trapped underneath the rubble are sending voice notes, videos, and their live locations as they remain trapped under fallen structures.
Rescue missions in Syria are being hindered by damaged roads, leaving UN aid unable to reach areas that were badly affected during the quakes.
Turkey's disaster and emergency management authority AFAD has revealed that 24,400 emergency personnel are currently helping with rescue operations.
In Gaziantep, where the first quake struck, temperatures can drop to 19 degrees Fahrenheit. This is making rescue operations harder, with people who have lost their homes having to make fires on the street to keep warm.
Our thoughts remain with those affected by this tragedy.
Published 10:45 06 Feb 2023 GMT
Hundreds have been killed following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, with rescue missions currently ongoing.
The earthquake struck at 4:17 AM local time as many locals slept, with a 6.7 magnitude aftershock being felt just 11 minutes later, as reported by the BBC.
The quake struck southern Turkey but the tremors could be felt in other Turkish cities such as the capital Ankara, alongside neighboring countries such as Syria and Israel.
At the time of writing, the death toll stands at over 1,200 people but this is expected to rise in the coming hours as hundreds are still believed to be trapped under rubble, as per the Guardian.
World leaders have rallied to offer immediate support to the people of Turkey and Syria. The tremors were also felt in Greece and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has tweeted his support.
He said: "Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake disaster in Türkiye and Syria. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and our thoughts are with all the people affected. Greece is mobilizing its resources and will assist immediately."
As the BBC report explains, Turkey is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world as it is located on the Anatolian tectonic plate which sits between the Eurasian, African, and Arabian plates which essentially caused Turkey to be "squeezed."
Syria's President Bashar Assad chaired an emergency meeting this morning in order to focus efforts on rescue operations after at least 320 Syrians were reported to have died.
Schools in the Turkish provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Adana, Diyarbakır, Kilis have been suspended for a week, while flights to and from Hatay province have been canceled completely.
The major Turkish city of Gaziantep is reported to be one of the worst affected by the earthquake, with two aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.5 and 6.4 resulting in the highest death toll so far of 80 people.
As per the BBC, the region was hit by an earthquake registering 7.4 in magnitude on August 13, 1882, but the region of instability has not sustained any significant damage in the past 100 years.
India's government has said that India’s National Disaster Response Force, which includes 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and equipment, is ready to offer aid, alongside the EU, Poland, Russia, Spain, and Taiwan offering support if required.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
Published 11:28 10 Feb 2023 GMT
A family of six has been rescued after being buried under rubble in Turkey for 101 hours after the devastating earthquake.
Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday morning (February 6) at 04:17 AM local time, with a 6.7 magnitude aftershock being felt 11 minutes later.
Survivors whose homes have been destroyed have taken refuge in stadiums, mosques, shopping malls, and community centers, while about 1,500 people are living in emergency tents in Sanliurfa - one of the cities hit hardest by the disaster, per Sky News.
The tragedy has become the deadliest quake in over a decade after a 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan took the lives of almost 20,000 people. Now, Turkey and Syria are undergoing the results of a major quake on a similar scale, with the death toll steadily increasing.
The country has been searching for bodies of civilians under rubble for the past few days, with even Mexico dispatching some of its renowned search and rescue dogs to help look for people buried under rubble.
According to the outlet, six members of the same family have now been saved after spending over 100 hours trapped under debris in Turkey following the unfortunate disaster.
Miraculously, the family managed to survive by crowding together in a small air pocket beneath a collapsed building in Iskenderun, Hatay province.
This follows an earlier report by Sky News of how rescuers found Adnan Muhammed Korkut alive from underneath the remnants in the city of Gaziantep.
It was stated that the 17-year-old beamed at the crowd of emotional friends and relatives as he was carried out and placed on a stretcher. He was trapped for 94 hours and said that he had been forced to drink his own urine to survive.
A rescue worker called Yasemin told the young boy: "I have a son just like you. I swear to you, I have not slept for four days. I swear I did not sleep; I was trying to get you out."
As well as the increasing number of dead people, tens of thousands of others have been injured, and more are left homeless. In the city of Antakya, people ran for supplies being dispersed from a lorry.
One survivor, Ahmet Tokgoz, asked the government to vacate people from the region and said: "Especially in this cold, it is not possible to live here. If people haven't died from being stuck under the rubble, they'll die from the cold," per Sky News.
In the wake of the traumatic disaster, hundreds of human rights groups, NGOs, and crisis relief organizations (among others) have rallied together to help those affected in the region.
Our thoughts go out to all the lives lost in this tragedy.
Published 11:42 27 Feb 2023 GMT
Soccer fans in Turkey have paid a heartfelt tribute to young earthquake victims by throwing toys onto the pitch to donate to charity.
The soccer match - which saw Turkish teams Besiktas and Antalyaspor battle it out in a game that finished nil all - was paused after four minutes and 17 seconds, representing the time that the first devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on the morning of February 6 (04:17 AM).
Up to 50,000 people are believed to have perished, with Al Jazeera reporting that nearly 240,000 rescuers are still working around the clock to provide relief for the towns most affected.
According to BBC News, the toys that rained down onto the sports field are set to be donated to children in Turkey and Syria
"Our fans organised a meaningful event called 'This toy is my friend' during the match in order to give morale to the children affected by the earthquake," Besiktas said in a statement via BBC following the match. "The fans threw scarves, berets and plush toys to be given as a gift to the children in the earthquake region."
Defender Tayyib Sanuc said: "There are more important things than football. We are going through difficult times as a country. Together we will heal the wounds. Our fans held a meaningful event - I was very touched. I hope we never experience such a disaster again."
In anticipation of the massive influx of refugees attempting to make their way to Europe following the devastation, The Guardian has detailed that Greece's borders have been fortified to prevent displaced persons from entering the region.
Notis Miratachi, Greece's migration minister, has stated: "The mass movement of millions of people is not a solution," adding that emergency aid needs to be sent to Turkey and Syria.
Though, getting aid into Syria has proven difficult, as President Bashar al-Assad's government has been subject to sanctions by the United States and across Europe, which has significantly slowed down the nation's ability to receive aid.
Moreover, in 2022 Russia vetoed a UN resolution that would have extended cross-border aid to Syria. Evidently, even prior to the earthquakes, Syria has long fallen victim to both political and logistical challenges. These have only multiplied in the wake of the natural disaster.
As a result, many countries are apprehensive about funnelling aid through the Syrian government - something that rescue workers on the ground say is already costing them lives, per AP.
Published 16:07 10 Sep 2023 GMT
Following a devastating earthquake in Morocco, the death toll has tragically risen to over 2,000 with rescue missions still ongoing.
The earthquake struck the nation with devastating force on Friday night, shaking the ancient city of Marrakesh and sending tremors rippling across the nation.
The epicenter of the quake was located in the High Atlas Mountains - some 71 kilometers (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh - a UNESCO World Heritage site popular with tourists, as per BBC News.
The aftermath of the disaster has been catastrophic, particularly in provinces just south of Marrakesh, with Al Haouz province reporting the highest death toll, closely followed by Taroudant province.
While Marrakesh itself suffered considerable damage, it is in remote mountain areas where entire villages have been flattened.
According to the interior ministry, more than 1,400 individuals are grappling with serious injuries, and numerous residents are spending a second night exposed to the elements as they fear aftershocks.
In the midst of this heart-wrenching catastrophe, King Mohammed VI has declared three days of national mourning and has issued orders for the immediate distribution of shelter, food, and aid to survivors.
The interior ministry of Morocco has expressed that over 2,000 people have sadly lost their lives due to the devastation.
Flags across the nation will fly at half-mast for the next three days, as announced by the royal palace. King Mohammed VI has also deployed the armed forces to assist rescue teams, and Moroccans are rallying to donate blood to aid the victims.
This earthquake marks Morocco's deadliest in over six decades, since the 1960 Agadir earthquake, which claimed more than 12,000 lives. It is also the most powerful earthquake to strike Morocco in over a century.
The international community has offered support and solidarity during this difficult time. The United Nations has expressed its readiness to assist Morocco's government in its rescue efforts, with similar pledges coming from countries including Spain, France, and Israel.
Even neighboring Algeria, which has had strained relations with Morocco in recent years, has opened its airspace for humanitarian flights to aid in relief efforts.
As per Al Jazeera, the Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said: "I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the earthquake victims and wish recovery to the injured."
He continued: "We continue to take measures in the implementation of royal directives aimed at following up and supporting relief efforts… In this great tragedy, I acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by the public authorities with great professionalism and great mobilization."
Pope Francis offered his thoughts, sharing: "I pray for the injured, for those who have lost their lives, so many of them, and for their relatives.
While thanking the rescuers for their heroics during this time of tragedy, the Pope concluded: "We stand with the people of Morocco."
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
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