The death toll from Monday’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria passed 19,300 on Thursday.
Monday’s earthquake in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, near the border with Syria, registered 7.8 on the Richter scale. There were many repercussions following that earthquake. Among them, an aftershock at 9 o’clock was unusually powerful. The tremor was recorded at 7.5 units on the Richter scale.
The earthquake hit southern and central Turkey and northern Syria. It is said to be the worst earthquake in Turkey’s modern history.
Thousands of houses were leveled in this earthquake. Officials said that the death toll has crossed 19,300.
Following the worst earthquake in recent times, countries including India extended their helping hand to Turkey and Syria. A large number of rescue teams and medical teams from those countries have been concentrated in the affected areas.
Even though the rescue operations are going on day and night, the severe cold in the affected areas has caused a setback in the operations. Despite escaping the earthquake, thousands of people are suffering due to extreme cold.
In many areas, temporary tents have been set up and people are staying there. However, reports suggest that the situation in areas such as the southern city of Antakya is dire and residents are urging them to evacuate to safer places.
Even though people are getting cold due to the fog that has been created here and there, it is feared that those who are still alive in the rubble will not be able to cope with the severe cold and die before being rescued.
Experts expressed concern that since it has been 4 days since the earthquake, the chances of rescuing those trapped in the building ruins are rapidly diminishing. However, she encouraged the rescue team not to lose hope and carry out the rescue operations vigorously.
Dissatisfaction with the government: The public has been accusing the people of delaying the arrival of relief aid to the affected areas. However, President Erdoğan, who is touring those areas, said that this is an exaggerated criticism.
However, if there is a perception among the public that the Erdogan government did not take proper action during this earthquake, it is said that it will cause a setback for Erdogan in the next presidential election to be held in May.
Syria: This severe earthquake has further traumatized the people of Syria, which is already mired in civil war.
In this situation, it is said that foreign relief vehicles were able to go to the control area of Kalachials for the first time only on Thursday.
Reports indicate that due to the earthquake in Syria, roads and airports have been damaged, which has made it difficult to transport relief goods.