Death Toll From Syria and Turkey Earthquake Tops 5,000

Turkey and Syria earthquakes have claimed more than 5,000 lives, thousands more were injured and infrastructure collapsed. Rescue groups are struggling to provide aid for the victims.

Turkey has confirmed the deaths of at least 3,419 people. State news agency SANA in Syria reported that at least 1,602 people were killed. The government-held provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, Tartous and Latakia accounted for at most 812 deaths and the opposition-held northwest accounting accounted for the remainder. At least 5,021 people have been killed in Syria and Turkey.

On average, 3 649 people have been hurt in Syria. Turkey’s injured are estimated to be over 20,000. The World Health Organization (WHO), warned that death could rise to around 22,000 in the next few days.

The first quake, with an epicenter in the Pazarcik district of Turkey’s southern Kahramanmaras Province, had a magnitude of 7.8. Nine hours later, a second earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck the same area, further aggravating the situation. Turkey was hit with 285 aftershocks.

U.S. President Joe Biden “noted that U.S. teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and coordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items,” You can find more information at readout of Biden’s conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Jan. 6 said.

Infrastructure damage

Turkey has been devastated by the earthquakes. A Video Tweets show that many buildings have been reduced to rubble and only a few tall buildings remain. Another Video The scene shows the building falling while people flee for their safety.

In Turkey’s southern region, which is home to some of the worst-hit cities, damaged roads and poor internet connections are hampering rescue attempts. Freezing winter temperatures can also pose a problem in certain areas. People were forced to sleep in cars parked in the streets, as families had to.

Kahramanmaras saw families gather around fires and wrap themselves in blankets. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey, (AFAD), 13,740 search and emergency personnel were deployed. They also provided over 300,000 blankets, 100,000 mattresses, and 41,000 tents. Organ Tatar from AFAD says that 575 buildings were damaged by the quake.

“The infrastructure is damaged, the roads that we used to use for humanitarian work are damaged, we have to be creative in how to get to the people …  but we are working hard,” U.N. resident coordinator El-Mostafa Benlamlih Telled Reuters.

The earthquake on Monday is Turkey’s deadliest since a quake of similar magnitude hit the country in 1999 and killed over 17,000 people.

International Aid Response

The European Union has also sent teams to Turkey for search and rescue operations. Similar teams are being sent from the UK, Romania, and the Netherlands. France, Germany, Israel and France also pledged their support.

“#LACoFD USA-2 has been activated by @usaid and is deploying to the Turkey earthquake. The deployment team will consist of 81 personnel, 6 K9 teams, and 3 structural engineers,” The L.A. County Fire Department posted a tweet on February 7, 2012.

Iran sent food, tents, and medicine to Syria. Russia’s military personnel are helping in recovery efforts in northern Syria with both nations being allies of the Damascus regime.

India sent a 99-member medical team with X-ray machines and oxygen generator plants, as well as cardiac monitors, to establish a 30-bed hospital. China has pledged to provide emergency assistance worth 40 million Yuan ($5.9 million).

The WHO is sending medical supplies, including emergency surgical, trauma, and medical kits, as well activating a network medical teams. It expressed concern over areas in Syria and Turkey where there has not been any information since the earthquake.