Disastrous Monday quake was “the biggest disaster since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake” in eastern Türkiye
Speaking in the aftermath of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey on Monday morning, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that at least 912 people were killed and 5,385 injured in the disaster.
“2,470 people were rescued from the rubble, and 2,818 buildings were destroyed,” Erdogan said.
Devastating Monday quake was “the biggest disaster since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake” in eastern Türkiye which killed an estimated 32,000 people and injured 100,000, Erdogan added.
According to the country’s president, local authorities “had mobilized all their means,” and the response efforts involve not only the ten provinces hit by the disaster, but also ten other regional governors.
The priority had been given to search and rescue efforts aimed at freeing those who are still stuck under the rubble. In total, 9,000 personnel are involved, with this number constantly increasing, President Erdogan added.
The disastrous earthquake has also rocked neighboring Syria, where the death toll has risen to 326 people, according to the statement from Deputy Health Minister Ahmad Dumeira on Monday. He said that at least 1,042 people were injured, and the provinces of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia, and Tartus were affected the most.
Dr. Raed Ahmed, the director general of the Syrian National Seismology Center, was quoted as saying that the earthquake was the strongest since recording began in 1995.
Dumeira said all hospitals were mobilized to treat the victims, and additional ambulances and rescue teams were dispatched to areas hit by the disaster.
