Turkish PM warns death toll will rise following major quake
A frantic search for survivors is underway in Turkey after a powerful earthquake rocked the nation, killing more than 200 and collapsing dozens of buildings and homes.
The 7.2-magnitude quake struck in the Kurdish-populated Van province, hitting the Ercis district particularly hard, according to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan rushed to the area Monday following Sunday’s quake and warned residents that the death toll would likely increase through the day as more bodies were recovered.
“Search and rescue efforts will continue overnight,” he said as the area was hit by up to 20 aftershocks.
In Ercis alone, some 55 apartment buildings are reported to have collapsed in the quake, trapping hundreds of people, while in the city of Van, more than 100 have been confirmed dead.
Turkey’s Kandilli seismological institute has said that the death toll could reach as high as 500 or even 1,000 people.
The institute said the quake’s epicentre was in Tabanli in Van province. The earthquake was followed by two strong aftershocks that caused further damage to the area.
Bekir Kaya, the mayor of Van, told NTV television that the quake had knocked out land and mobile phone communications, heightening the sense of panic among residents seeking help or looking for loved ones.
Widespread electricity outages have also been reported, with scenes on Turkish television showing people huddled around fires for warmth on the street in near-freezing conditions.
Some 1,275 search and rescue teams from 38 Turkish cities have been mobilised by the national government and 145 ambulances are en-route to the area, along with six helicopters, including four helicopter ambulances.
Six battalions of the Turkish army have also been deployed to help in search and rescue efforts, while C-130 military cargo planes have been dispatched, carrying tents, food and medicine.
The United States, as well as several Europe nations, has indicated willingness to provide support, should Turkey request it.
A spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the country, while grateful for offers of aid, is prepared to handle the disaster on its own.
The quake Sunday was one of the worst to hit the country in over a decade, in 1999 two strong quakes in northwest Turkey’s heavily populated and industrialised regions left some 20,000 dead.
Source: Europe News
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