UN sounds alarm at Israel's 'severe violations' at key buffer zone with Syria    Thousands of protesters march in Paris ahead of tense football match between France and Israel    Republicans win 218 US House seats, giving Donald Trump control of government    FBI arrests alleged leaker of US intelligence documents related to Israel's Iran attack plans    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Prophet's Mosque imam underscores Islam's core values at peace conference in India    Interior minister graces graduation ceremony at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences    Saudi, Indian foreign ministers co-chair Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi    198 new sites documented in the National Antiquities Register    Cityscape Global 2024: Saudi real estate sector booms with SR180 billion in new projects    PIF to sell 2% stake in stc via accelerated book-building    SAMA issues rules for opening electronic wallets    South Korean actor Song Jae Lim found dead at 39    TGA suspends 2 passenger transport applications and an application for food delivery    Don't sit on the toilet for more than 10 minutes, doctors warn    'Marvels of Saudi Orchestra' to dazzle audience in Tokyo on Nov. 22    Saudi Champion Saeed Al-Mouri scores notable feat in Radical World Championship in Abu Dhabi with support from Bin-Shihon Group    Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



At least 16,170 died from powerful earthquakes in southern Turkey
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 09 - 02 - 2023

At least 16,170 people were killed and 64,194 others injured by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Turkey earlier this week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.
The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, were felt on Monday by 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.
Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, felt strong tremors that struck Turkey in the space of less than 10 hours.
"The earthquake affected an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometers (about 42,470 sq miles). This is equal to or greater than the area of many countries in Europe.
"This earthquake is the third-largest to occur since the 1668 Great Anatolia earthquake and the 1939 Erzincan earthquake in the last 2,000 years on the Anatolian geography," Vice President Fuat Oktay said at the country's parliament.
Turkish parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop called on lawmakers to make donations worth at least one month's wage to the country's disaster management agency, adding that he had donated three monthly wages.
During a visit to the southern Gaziantep province, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "Our state has been on the field with all its institutions starting from the moment of the earthquake."
More than 115,680 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
A total of 28,044 people were evacuated from quake-hit regions, AFAD said in a statement.
"As of 11.38 a.m. (0838GMT), a total of 28,044 citizens were evacuated from the disaster area, 4,607 by road and railway and 23,437 by air," it said.
Evacuees are being placed in accommodation areas and guesthouses designated by provincial governors' offices and AFAD, it added.
Foreign teams in field
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said 95 countries and 16 international organizations offered to send Turkey assistance, with many nations sending search and rescue teams, doctors, field hospitals, and aid materials to the quake-hit region.
Speaking in the capital Ankara, Cavusoglu said 6,479 personnel from 56 countries were currently in the field. "Teams from 19 more countries will be in our country within 24 hours," he added at the news conference alongside Tahsin Ertugruloglu, his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
For his part, Ertugruloglu said every Turkish Cypriot's heart beats with Turkey.
Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams were also sent to affected areas.
A total of 92,738 family tents have been set up to shelter survivors, AFAD said.
It added that 10,363 vehicles, including excavators, tractors, and dozers, were sent to the disaster area.
Teams in Sanliurfa and Kilis completed their search operations and have been dispatched to other provinces, AFAD said.
State of emergency declared
Erdogan on Wednesday inspected the ongoing search and rescue, as well as relief efforts in the Adana, Hatay, and Kahramanmaras provinces, as well as one of the epicenters Pazarcik, where he met survivors in tent cities.
First lady Emine Erdogan on Wednesday visited 16 infant survivors who were airlifted from Kahramanmaras to a hospital in the capital Ankara.
Turkey has mobilized all its resources for post-quake efforts, President Erdogan said, adding: "The state is working with municipalities, especially with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), with all its resources."
To speed up search and rescue operations more, Turkey on Tuesday announced a three-month state of emergency in the quake-hit provinces.
In addition, Turkey is observing seven days of national mourning after the devastating quakes.
All national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice. Schools nationwide will be closed until Feb. 13, and education in the 10 affected provinces is on hold until Feb. 20.
After the quakes, condolences poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Turkey, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.
Turkey sets up air corridor
After the initial earthquake, an air aid corridor was created by the Turkish Armed Forces to deliver search and rescue teams to the region.
A large number of aircraft for transport, including A-400Ms, carried search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes are also using the air aid corridor.
Nearly 19,000 Turkish soldiers also rushed to the aid of people in the field, the National Defense Ministry said in a statement.
All barracks, including the 2nd Army Command in Malatya, were opened to the service of citizens affected by the earthquakes.
Rescue and relief personnel and materials were dispatched to the region with 160 aircraft, AFAD said.
In addition, the flights of two Akinci drones are being used to coordinate work in disaster areas.
A total of 22 ships were also assigned to the region for personnel and material shipment and for evacuation. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.