The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that 20,000 people may die as a result of the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria.
Since the early hours of Monday morning, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck south-eastern Turkey close to the Syrian border, at least 5,000 people have died. Both nations have experienced strong aftershocks in the hours that have followed, and thousands are believed to be trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings.
Rescuers have been working all night to save as many people as they can, but the region’s bitterly cold weather is making it harder for them to find survivors. According to the most recent data, injuries have been reported among more than 13,000 people in Turkey.
Turkey has declared a state of emergency in affected areas and has urged people not to use their mobile phones in order to allow rescuers to coordinate. As well as Turkey and Syria, millions of people in Cyprus, and Israel also felt the earthquake.
European leaders are promising to help the worst hit regions in any way they can, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He tweeted: “My thoughts are with the people of Turkey and Syria this morning, particularly with those first responders working so valitanty to save those trapped by the earthquake.
“The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can.”
My thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria this morning, particularly with those first responders working so valiantly to save those trapped by the earthquake.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 6, 2023
The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can.
Turkey and Syria earthquake: What we know so far.
The first 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Pazarcik district of southern Kahramanmaras province at 4.17am. This was followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake in the southern Gaziantep province at 4.26am.
On Monday morning, as rescuers worked to save those trapped in the rubble, south east Turkey felt another significant 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Overnight, more powerful tremors hit Turkey with a 5.4 magnitude quake in the eastern side of the country.
Overall, there have been around 285 aftershocks since the first earthquake was felt. It is reported that over 5,000 buildings have collapsed in Turkey alone.
WHO Senior Emergency Officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said: “We always see the same thing with earthquakes, unfortunately, which is that the initial reports of the numbers of people who have died or who have been injured will increase quite significantly in the week that follows.”
The UK has confirmed it will send 76 specialists, equipment and rescue dogs to Turkey. The EU is also set to send search and rescue teams to the country.