Last Update: February 07, 2023, 23:32 IST
Turkey-Syria earthquake live updates: Rescuers use heavy equipment to search for survivors at the site of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Turkey and Syria. (Reuters)
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake had its epicenter about 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi on the East Anatolian Fault at a depth of about 18 km.
The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria exceeded 6,200 on Tuesday, as rescue workers searched for people still trapped.
Casualties in Turkey reached 4,544 and 1,712 in Syria, bringing the total to 6,256.
The epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake was about 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi on Monday at a depth of about 18 km on the East Anatolian Fault. The earthquake radiated to the northeast, causing devastation in central Turkey and Syria. After this more than 50 tremors were felt.
The earthquake was the most powerful earthquake in the region in almost a century. Rescue operations were hit as officials struggled to pull casualties from the rubble amid rain and temperatures expected to drop to near freezing overnight.
Countries around the world are scrambling to send aid and rescue workers.
Here’s what you need to know about the tragedy:
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency on Tuesday in 10 southeastern provinces hit by a major earthquake that killed thousands.
- Turkey said about 3,000 buildings had collapsed in seven different provinces, including public hospitals.
- World The health organization has warned that 23 million people could be affected by the massive earthquake that killed thousands in Turkey and Syria.
- The cold weather added to the plight of the thousands of injured or homeless and hampered efforts to find survivors.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) pledged USD 100 million to Syria and Turkey.
- The European Union has mobilized 27 search and rescue and medical teams from 19 countries to help Turkey. They involve more than 1,150 rescuers and 70 rescue dogs, EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic confirmed on Tuesday.
- China said its first rescue teams began work in Turkey on Tuesday and it is sending USD 5.9 million in emergency aid, including rescue and medical teams, state media reported.
- The Ministry of External Affairs said that two teams of India’s National Disaster Response Force comprising 100 personnel with dog squads and equipment are ready to go to the affected area. Doctors and paramedics were also being prepared along with medicines.
- President Vladimir Putin pledged to send Russian teams to both countries in telephone calls with Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Defense Ministry said 300 military personnel stationed in Syria were helping with the evacuation effort.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters and AFP)
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