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Updated 6 February 2023 at 20:04 IST

Severe winter hampers rescue ops after earthquake knocks down buildings in Turkey & Syria

More than 1,100 people were killed across 10 provinces of Turkey, with at least 7,600 injured, as per the country’s disaster management agency.

Zaini Majeed
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IMAGE: Twitter/The White Helmets | Image: self

As another earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitudes on the Richter scale hit Central Turkey and Syria post the powerful aftershock felt in Malatya city, the Turkish rescuers and first responders scrambled to search for the survivors across the heavily destroyed provinces. Over 1,100 people were killed across 10 provinces of Turkey, with at least 7,600 injured, as per the country’s disaster management agency. As scores of buildings were flattened, and cars were toppled and crushed rescue bulldozers worked to clear the debris. 

The first earthquake, with an epicenter at about 32km [20 miles] from Gaziantep jolted the country at 4:17 am local time (01:17 GMT) and was felt in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Cities of Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, Diyarbakir, and Kilis suffered massive damage leaving piles of debris and trails of crumbled infrastructure.

Rescue operation hampered by poor weather 

As the rescue efforts in parts of Turkey are continuing, Suzan Şahin of Turkey's Republican People’s party was quoted as saying by BBC’s Turkish language service that the entire Iskenderun region is "in a grave condition, more than 30 of our buildings were destroyed." As many as 9,000 rescuers are involved in the search mission. Suzan Şahin accused the AFAD [Turkey's disaster and emergency agency] of a sluggish response as people remain trapped under the rubble. "Bodies almost cannot be transported to the hospitals," he noted, adding that there is a need for more humanitarian aid such as blankets and tents. 

While the rescue operation is underway, the authorities in both countries have officially put the combined death toll at over 1,900. The casualties are expected to rise as the frantic search for the survivors is underway. In north-west Syria, The White Helmets rescue service said that more than 419 people are badly injured and the rescue efforts were made difficult due to the damaged infrastructure levelled to the ground, and roads busted.

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Transportation of  “heavy equipment” is needed as several families are still trapped under the residential buildings that collapsed. Rescue operations are also hampered by poor weather due to the winter storms. Large aftershocks are felt in both countries, as per the reports. 

The second powerful earthquake hit in less than 12 hours. Syria's state press said that Damascus was badly affected by the latest large quake this time. The epicenter of the second earthquake was 67km (42 miles) northeast of Kahramanmaraş, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Syria’s state news agency said more than 320 were dead. Tremors were also felt in Dohuk, Erbil, and Mosul in Iraq. 

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Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a press conference described it as the disaster worst since 1939 Erzincan earthquake.

"Everyone is putting their heart and soul into efforts, although the winter season, cold weather and the earthquake happening during the night make things more difficult," the Turkish President said. 

"We do not know how high the casualty numbers will go as efforts to lift the debris continue in several buildings in the earthquake zone. Today is a day for 85 million to be together as one heart," he added. 

Published By : Zaini Majeed

Published On: 6 February 2023 at 18:28 IST

Earthquake