Turkish President Erdogan said, “search and rescue personnel were promptly despatche to the earthquake-affected districts. We aim to get through this calamity together as fast as possible and with as little damage as possible.”
On Monday, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s south and northern Syria, killing at least 21 people. Several videos published on social media revealed the rubbles of collapsed buildings in Turkish cities, while people attempted to rescue trapped survivors.
According to the US Geological Survey said, “the quake was centre about 33 kilometres (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was centre 18 kilometres (11 miles) deep, and a strong 6.7 aftershock rumbled about 10 minutes later.”
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that there were at least 6 aftershocks. He urged people not to enter damaged buildings due to the risks and leave the roads clear for emergency vehicles. “Our priority is to bring out people trapped under ruined buildings and to transfer them to hospitals,” he said.
The Syrian state media reported that a large number of building collapsed in Aleppo and Hama, while in northwest Syria. The opposition’s Syrian Civil Defence described the situation in the rebel-held region. The entire buildings have collapsed and people trapped under the rubble.
According to an AP report, in Damascus, buildings shook and many people went down to the streets in fear. The quake jolted residents in Lebanon from beds, shaking buildings for about 40 seconds. Many residents of Beirut left their homes and took to the streets or drove in their cars away from buildings.