A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria a few hours ago, killing at least 641 people and injuring hundreds more. The death toll continues to rise. Dozens of buildings have collapsed, trapping individuals beneath the wreckage. The toll appears to be higher in Turkey, where 284 people were killed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the world leaders who reached out to the earthquake -that hit Turkey. “India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” the PM said.
The Deadly 7.8 earthquake struck north of Gaziantep, around 90 kilometers (60 miles) from the Syrian border. This is the region that is home to millions of Syrian refugees fleeing the ongoing war. The earthquake was felt in Cairo. Continue scrolling down to read the most recent updates on what’s going on.
Turkey oil pipelines’ undamaged flows continue after the earthquake: Report
An energy official told Reuters on Monday that the Kerkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, which transports oil from Iraq to Turkey, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline are both undamaged, and oil flows are continuing on both after a significant earthquake shook Turkey.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked southern Turkey and northwest Syria early Monday, killing over 500 people and wounding hundreds as buildings collapsed across the region, prompting searches for survivors among the rubble.
Ceyhan oil terminal halts ops after Turkey earthquake: Shipping agency
Operations at Turkey’s oil port in Ceyhan were halted early Monday after a significant earthquake struck nearby, according to the Tribeca shipping agency, which added that an emergency conference will be held to discuss the situation.
BOTAS, Turkey’s pipeline operator, reported no damage to the main pipelines. Tribeca stated in a notice that the earthquake has damaged ports in southern Turkey, causing delays in operations.
Russia says its military facilities in Syria were not damaged by the earthquake
Russia’s defense ministry said Monday that a large earthquake that slammed central Turkey and northwest Syria had caused no damage to its military facilities.
Russia, which is sympathetic to Syrian President Bashar al-administration, Assad maintains a strong military presence in the nation.
The earthquake killed approximately 300 people and injured hundreds more when buildings collapsed across the region, prompting searches for survivors.
Israel prepared to help Turkey after a major earthquake
On Monday, Israel said it was ready to assist Turkey after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake devastated the country’s central region and northwest Syria, as well as sections of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel’s security forces were prepared to provide any assistance required, while Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated that a rapid aid program was being planned.
Italy withdraws tsunami warning after Turkey, Syria earthquake
On Monday, Italian authorities said they had lifted a tsunami warning for the country’s southern coast, which had been issued following a huge earthquake that slammed central Turkey and northwest Syria, killing hundreds of people.
The Civil Protection Department of Italy released a statement advising people to avoid coastal regions, but then downgraded the notice and tweeted that it had been canceled.
Train traffic in southern Sicily, Calabria, and Apulia was temporarily halted as a precaution, but resumed in the morning, according to the agency.
‘Sympathies of 140 cr Indians with earthquake-affected people’: PM Modi in Bengaluru
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked Monday at the India Energy Week 2023 event in Bengaluru, Karnataka: “We are all looking at the destructive earthquake that hit Turkey. There are reports of the deaths of several people as well as damage. Damages are suspected even in countries near Turkey. The sympathies of the 140 crore people of India are with all earthquake-affected people.”
“India is ready to provide all possible help to earthquake victims,” the Prime Minister continued.
US to assist those affected in Turkey earthquake
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement on Sunday that US President Biden authorized USAID and other federal government partners to explore response options for the most affected areas in Turkey and Syria.
The reports of the devastating earthquake have deeply disturbed the United States, he said.
Ukraine close to ‘friendly’ Turkish people, ready to provide help in earthquake aftermath: Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his country is prepared to assist “friendly” Turkish people in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated the country earlier on Monday.
“Shocked by the news of about the death and injury of hundreds of people as a result of the earthquake in Turkey,” Zelenskyy tweeted.
“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery. We are at this moment close to the friendly Turkish people, ready to provide the necessary assistance.”
Italy reduces tsunami warning after Turkey, Syria earthquake
The Italian government has decreased a tsunami warning for southern Italy issued after a massive earthquake struck central and northwest Turkey early Monday, killing hundreds of people.
Forty-two dead, more than 200 injured in Syria’s Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia: SANA
According to Syria’s national news agency (SANA), 42 people were killed and more than 200 were injured in Syria’s Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia areas after an earthquake struck the country’s north and west, as well as southern Turkey.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed at least 76 people in seven Turkish provinces, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency. According to the agency, 440 individuals were hurt.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Monday’s earthquake in government-held areas of Syria has risen to 99, according to Syrian official media citing the Health Ministry. Furthermore, 334 persons were injured in Syria. Previously, 20 individuals were reported slain in Syria’s rebel-held territory. This brings the total number of deaths in Turkey and Syria to 195.
Powerful 7.8 earthquake knocks down buildings in Turkey, Syria
Several videos published on social media revealed the rubble of collapsed buildings in Turkish cities, while people attempted to rescue trapped survivors. The tremor was centered around 33 kilometers (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a significant city and provincial seat, according to the US Geological Survey. It was 18 kilometers (11 miles) deep and was followed by a strong 6.7 aftershock around 10 minutes later. More videos can be found by tapping here.
The earthquake centered about 90 km from the Syrian border
The earthquake, which was felt as far away as Cairo, was located around 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of the city of Gaziantep, close to the Syrian border. The area, along with many cities, is home to millions of Syrian refugees fleeing their country’s long-running civil war. Turkey, which borders Syria to the north, is home to the world’s greatest number of Syrian refugees. On the Syrian side of the border, the earthquake shattered opposition-held areas teeming with several million displaced Syrians and a deteriorating healthcare infrastructure after years of war.
There were at least six aftershocks, and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu warned residents not to enter damaged houses because of the dangers. “Our priority is to bring out people trapped under ruined buildings and to transfer them to hospitals,” he said. Syria’s state television stated that buildings in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama had collapsed. Buildings in Damascus trembled, and many people fled to the streets in terror. The earthquake shook residents in Lebanon awake, shaking buildings for around 40 seconds. Meanwhile, Syrian civil defense operations in rebel-held territories stated on Monday that a massive quake that slammed Turkey and northern Syria had killed “tens of victims and people stuck under the rubble” of collapsed buildings in the country’s north-west.
