Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: Over 4,000 Dead, Thousands Injured; Historic Buildings Damaged

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria Update: A powerful earthquake, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, struck central Turkey on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023. This followed three devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, causing widespread damage and loss of life. 

The earthquakes have resulted in over 4,000 deaths and thousands of injuries, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search through the rubble. In response to the disaster, countries around the world, including India, have sent relief materials and teams to the affected region to provide assistance.

The Indian government has coordinated with the Turkish government and the Indian embassy in Ankara to send the first batch of relief materials to Turkey. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Search and Rescue Teams from India, along with medical supplies and other equipment, left for Turkey early in the morning after the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, reached out to the quake-hit country.

The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has declared seven days of national mourning in response to the disaster and has ordered that the Turkish flag be flown at half-mast across the country and at its diplomatic missions abroad. Nearly 13,000 personnel and members of Turkish emergency services have been sent to the earthquake-hit regions, including the Syrian border province of Hatay.

The earthquakes have caused significant damage to historic buildings, including the UNESCO-listed Aleppo Citadel, one of the world's oldest and largest castles, which sustained "little to medium" damage, including the collapse of parts of its Ottoman mill and the destruction of its entrances. Technicians are currently inspecting the Aleppo Old City for damage.

The disaster has sparked public anger in Hatay province along the Syrian border, where residents are frustrated with the absence of emergency response teams in the region.

Turkish president has expressed concern about the rising number of casualties and the future of his political career may be affected by the effectiveness of his response to the disaster as he seeks re-election in May 2023.