People walk along a street strewn with debris as they look for relatives in Hatay, Turkey on February 7, 2023, a day after a 7,8-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s southeast. (AFP)
Turkey earthquake
The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 11,700, officials and doctors said Wednesday.
They explained that 9,057 people died in Turkey and 2,662 in Syria, and 50,000 people were injured in Turkey and 5,000 in Syria, as a result of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday.
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today that the number of earthquake victims in Turkey has exceeded 9,000. Erdogan said from the city of Hatay, which was affected by the earthquake: “So far, the death toll has reached 9,057 people, while 52,979 people have been injured, and 6,444 buildings have been destroyed.”
Erdogan condemns the criticism
The Turkish president acknowledged the existence of “gaps” in the response to the earthquake that struck his country and Syria, and said during a visit to the most affected Hatay province (south), located on the Syrian border, “Of course there are gaps. It is impossible to prepare for a disaster like this.”
While condemning criticism of the government’s efforts after the earthquakes, he told reporters, “This is a time for unity and solidarity. At a time like this, I cannot bear those who carry out negative campaigns for political interests.”
He said it is not possible to prepare for such a disaster, but the government will speed up the removal of rubble and construction of housing.
From Syria (AFP)
medical supplies
In a related context, the World Health Organization said it would send teams of experts and send planes loaded with medical supplies to Turkey and Syria.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said in a briefing to the media today, Wednesday, that the organization will send a high-level delegation to coordinate relief efforts, in addition to three flights carrying medical support, one of which is already on its way to Istanbul.
In turn, Dr. Iman Al-Shanqeeti, WHO representative in Syria, said that the health needs there are huge.
From the Turkey earthquake – Reuters
It is noteworthy that the earthquake that struck southern Turkey, at dawn on Monday, had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale, destroying thousands of buildings, and leaving thousands injured, homeless and dead.
