6 February 2023 – On Monday, two massive earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 struck Turkey’s southeastern region near the Syrian border, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The earthquakes destroyed residential buildings and claimed the lives of thousands of people, leaving many more injured and homeless.
The earthquakes were followed by over 100 aftershocks, many of which were magnitude 4 or higher. These aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that happen in the same general area as the main earthquake.
As 72-hour ‘rescue window’ passes, Death toll exceeds 21,000
As reported, the death toll from the earthquakes has now surpassed 21,000, with at least 17,674 victims have been killed in Turkey and at least 3,377 victims in Syria.
According to Ilan Kelman, a professor of disasters and health at University College London, more than 90% of earthquake survivors are rescued within the first three days, and the first earthquake struck just over 72 hours ago.
Photo by Khalil Hamra
The World Bank has promised Turkey $1.78 billion in relief and recovery assistance but as search and rescue efforts continue, the hope of finding survivors is rapidly fading.
An overview of Turkey’s most severe earthquakes over the past 25 years
Source by Al Jazeera
