Turkey Earthquake: At Least 2300 Dead in Turkey And Syria

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and killed at least 2300 people. The earthquake occurred in Southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria early Monday. More than 8500 are injured in Turkey.

This earthquake is said to be one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years. The earthquake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

The impact of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes was felt in other countries like Lebanon and Israel. At least 15000 rescue personnel are working in the region and helicopters are being used to reach the earthquake locations.

More than 2800 buildings were damaged and authorities are working on shelters for the citizens for the night.

At least 130 buildings collapsed in Turkey’s Malatya province and in another city, Diyarbakir, at least 15 buildings tumbled down. According to international media, a total of 2,818 buildings collapsed in today’s quake. After this powerful Earthquake, Turkey witnessed at least 6 aftershocks.

Some visuals of buildings collapsing were caught on the media while the loss of lives are quite disturbing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has summoned the officials to send NDRF teams, relief material in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Turkey.

“India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” tweeted PM Modi.