By : Thoughtfulnews.com February 7, 2023

Istanbul, Turkey Earthquake (TFN)

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More than 4,300 people have died after devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, and rescue workers try to rescue survivors from rubble. Destruction and debris remain on both sides of the border.

One of the strongest quakes to hit the region in the past century, the quake shook residents out of bed around 4 a.m. Monday, sending tremors all the way to Lebanon and Israel.

At least 2,921 people have been killed and more than 15,800 injured in Turkey Earthquake. According to Yunus Sezer, Turkey’s civil protection chief.

At least 1,451 people have died in neighboring Syria. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA. 711 people were killed in government-controlled areas, mainly in the areas of Aleppo. Hama/. Latakia and Tartus.

The ‘White Helmets’ group, formally known as the Syrian Civil Defense, reported 740 deaths in opposition-controlled areas. Much of northwestern Syria, which borders Turkey. Is controlled by rebels in a bloody civil war that began in 2011. 

More Than 60 Aftershocks Recorded – Including A Major One At 7.5 Magnitude

The epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude quake was 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province. At a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

A series of aftershocks echo throughout the day. A large earthquake with a maximum magnitude of 7.5 hit Turkey about nine hours after the first, according to the USGS. This aftershock occurred about 95 kilometers (59 miles) north of the original tremor.

Video from the scene in Turkey shows the sun setting over rows of collapsed buildings, some of them weather-beaten apartments, with people standing beside them in the freezing cold. They were waiting for help. 

Searching For Survivors

TurkishInteriorMinisterSuleymanSoylusaidasearch and rescue teamhad been dispatched to the south of the country. AFAD said it had requested international assistance through theEuropeanUnion’shumanitarianaidprogramme, the Emergency Response Coordination Center(ERCC).

About 1,000 search and rescue volunteers fromIstanbul,Turkey’slargestcity. Have been deployed with dogs. Trucks and supplies, according to Governor Ali Yelikaya.

The World Health Organization has activated a network of emergency medical teams in both countries to help those affected by the earthquake. The organization’s executivedirector tweeted. Erdoğan also said in a televised address,Itsaid NATO, the European Union and dozens of other countries have offered to help.

“Theearthquakewasstronglyfeltinourcity,”GaziantepGovernorDavutGurusaidonTwitter,advisingthepublictowaitoutsidetheirhomesandcalmdown.

“Don’tpanic,justwaitoutside.Don’tuseourcars.Don’tcrowdthemainstreets.Don’tkeepyourphonesbusy,”hesaid.AccordingtoBrookingsInstitutionFellowAsriAidintasvas,Gaziantephasmanysmallandmedium-sizedtownsandishometoasizeablenumberofrefugees.

“Some of these areas are pretty poor. Some are wealthy urban areas, but others we’re talking about seem run-down and relatively low-income areas,” she said. Told.

A video from the city of Diyarbakir, northeast of Gaziantep, shows rescue workers desperately trying to pull survivors out of the rubble.

Erdogan said the quake was felt in many parts of the country.