Following devastating earthquakes that killed more than 4,800 people and toppled structures throughout southeast Turkey and northern Syria, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proclaimed seven days of national mourning, while Syria asked the UN for aid. Authorities worry the death toll from Monday’s predawn magnitude 7.8 temblor, followed by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake and many aftershocks, could rise as rescuers searched tangles of metal and concrete throughout an area already reeling from Syria’s 12-year civil conflict and a refugee crisis.
Rescuers searched through the freezing night into Tuesday morning, hoping to find additional survivors. On Tuesday morning, AFAD official Orhan Tatar reported 3,381 deaths and 20,426 injuries in the county. Tatar reported almost 5,700 structures were damaged. The Ministry of Health and White Helmets rescue organization reported 1,444 deaths and 3,500 injuries in Syria. The earthquake’s hundreds of injured and homeless victims are suffering from freezing winter temperatures and snowfall. Finding survivors and delivering relief has been impeded by collapsed buildings and roads. On Monday, another earthquake nearly as strong as the first shook the region. From Istanbul, according reports millions need support. Winter brings frigid weather, snow, and rain, making their need even greater. According to reports from Istanbul, 10 southern Turkish cities are catastrophe regions. Snow and freezing temperatures have impeded rescue attempts, and more poor weather is predicted. The government is restoring natural gas and electricity in several places. Ghoneim said Tuesday’s sunrise will reveal “a comprehensive picture of the catastrophe.” The original earthquake was 7.8 and 18km deep, according to the USGS (11 miles).
A 7.6 earthquake followed hours afterwards. According to footage, the second shock caused a multi-story apartment building in Sanliurfa, Turkey, to collapse in a cloud of dust as spectators shouted. Turkish TV broadcast real-time building collapses. Rescuers saved a toddler from a collapsed structure. Snow-covered streets reunited the toddler with heartbroken parents. Turkey’s disaster management authority spokesman Orhan Tatar said 7,800 people were rescued in 10 districts. Rescuers reported overcrowded hospitals. The Syrian American Medical Society, which maintains clinics in northern Syria and southern Turkey, claimed its facilities were “overwhelmed with patients crowding the hallways” and needed “trauma supplies and a thorough emergency response to save lives and heal the injured”. Governments and relief organizations sent manpower, finances, and equipment to Turkey and Syria. King Abdullah II has ordered Jordan and Egypt to provide emergency aid to Syria and Turkey. Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is sending Red Cross and Civil Defense first responders and firemen to Turkey to aid rescue efforts. The EU has activated its Copernicus satellite system to assist emergency maps and search and rescue teams. 13 member countries have given support. The UK and US declared they would support Syria, but Washington won’t negotiate with the regime.
Germany’s foreign ministry is collaborating with EU partners to provide emergency generators, tents, blankets, and water purification equipment. The US is sending search and rescue personnel to NATO member Turkey. Nearly 100 Los Angeles County firefighters, structural engineers, and six professionally trained canines were flown to Turkey to aid rescue efforts. Russian rescue teams from the Emergencies Ministry are set to fly to Syria, where the Russian military has sent 10 units with 300 troops to clear rubble and seek for survivors. Russian troops provide aid. Turkey has welcomed Russian assistance.
