Home NewsEurope Turkey Struck by Two Devastating Earthquakes

Turkey Struck by Two Devastating Earthquakes

by Thaabit Kamaar

Photo by [Bloomberg]


According to reports, a second 7.7 magnitude earthquake was registered at noon in south-eastern Turkey, resulting in more casualties and destruction.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of a winter Monday morning, leading to the destruction of hundreds of buildings in both countries. The Turkish government said at least 10 Turkish cities were affected by the earthquake.

Reports suggest shockwaves and tremors were felt in surrounding Turkish and Syrian cities and neighbouring countries such as Cyprus, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon.

The earthquakes took the lives of approximately more than 5000 people, with the death toll expected to increase in Turkey and Syria.

Moreover, the disaster injured thousands of people, with hundreds more stuck beneath rubble caused by collapsed buildings on both sides.

Maseeha Saloojee, an Islamic Scholar residing in Idlib, Syria, said she woke up confused about what was happening around her.

“It felt like someone was shaking my bed back and forth. I woke up to that and was initially confused as to what was happening. My husband told me it’s an earthquake and so we got up and started taking the kids out. It was quite difficult to stand because the house was swaying very badly. It was raining outside. We just went out without shoes until it stopped.”

She said the earthquake lasted for about five minutes in her area before it stopped. The aftershocks of the earthquake, however, are continuing.

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The Search for Survivors

The Turkish authorities dispatched various rescue teams to the affected areas. The Turkish government declared a level 4 emergency, which includes an international call for assistance. According to reports, multiple countries have responded by sending aid.

Saloojee said while her immediate area experienced minimal damage, in contrast to other homes, the surrounding communities were completely destroyed.

“Some of my friends had it worse. We still haven’t found some people, one of my friends and her kids amongst them, as their house is rubble.”

She adds that some people are still missing and being searched for by community members and rescue teams while survivors are evacuating.

“The brothers are still trying to get people out from under the rubble. The worst-hit areas are about an hour away. In these areas, most people have packed emergency bags due to the ongoing aftermath.”

However, extreme cold and rainy weather conditions in affected areas in Turkey are impeding the rescuer’s and civilians’ progress in locating survivors who are stuck beneath the rubble.












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