NEWS CENTER – Rescuers are racing to find survivors trapped beneath rubble either side of the Turkey-Syrian border as the death toll from one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Turkey in 100 years rose beyond 500 people. Nearly 3,000 others were injured as the 7.8-magnitude quake shook residents from their beds around 4 a.m. Monday morning, sending tremors as far away as Lebanon and Israel.
The earthquake’s epicenter was 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Video from the scene in Turkey showed day breaking over rows of collapsed buildings, some with apartments exposed to the elements as people huddled in the freezing cold beside them, waiting for help.
In Turkey, at least 284 people were killed and more than 2,300 injured, according to Vice President Fuat Oktay. In neighboring Syria, at least 237 people died and more than 630 were injured, Syrian state news agency SANA reported citing a Ministry of Health official. The deaths were reported in Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus.
HDP, İHD and many buildings were destroyed in İskenderun
In the Iskenderun district of Hatay, the building where the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the Felicity Party (SP) and the Human Rights Association (IHD) are located, and many apartments in the district were destroyed. It was learned that there were many citizens under the building debris and the teams were insufficient. While many buildings were destroyed in the center and districts of Hatay due to the earthquake, many of them were damaged.
There was also great damage to the airport runway in Hatay. Hatay Airport was closed to flights due to the transverse splitting of the runway and the removal of the asphalt.
MORE DEAD NUMBER IN ELBISTAN
It is stated that the death toll in Elbistan is higher than the state announced. It was learned that the number of buildings destroyed was more. While only 6 bodies left an apartment, it was recorded that there were 18 people in the building. The people of Elbistan said, “The state says that 3 buildings were destroyed, but the destroyed buildings are much more”, while the health workers noted that the hospitals are very active.
It was stated that there was no serious problem in the villages as a significant part of the villages were empty due to winter.
Solidarity call from KCDK-E
In the written statement made by KCDK-E, “According to the information available, there is a serious need for shelter and assistance in the earthquake, which covers 10 provinces but was felt in many parts of Kurdistan. It seems that the effects of the earthquake and the loss of life will increase even more. Abroad. “We call on our living people to increase solidarity in a coordinated way in the face of this disaster. Emergency crisis centers should be established in order to cooperate with our people in the relevant places where the earthquake took place, and material and moral support should be provided in a controlled manner,” it said.
Earthquake statement from KCK: Everyone should mobilize opportunities-RENOVATED
The statement of the KCK Executive Council Co-presidency is as follows:
“Today a big earthquake occurred in the morning hours of Maraş and Pazarcık and it was effective in many cities of Bakure Kurdistan and also in other cities in the vicinity. First of all, we express our condolences to the peoples of Bakure Kurdistan and Turkey, and wish God’s mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured. We deeply share the pain of our people and everyone affected by the earthquake. There is also information that the earthquake also affected some Rojava and Syrian cities and caused losses. We express the same feelings and wishes for our people in Rojava and the peoples of Syria.
THE CAUSE OF GREAT LOSSES IS NO MEASURES ALYAMAN AKP-MHP POWER
The reason why these earthquakes caused great losses and damage is the state and the AKP-MHP government that governs the state. After the earthquakes, the AKP-MHP government resorts to some ostensible initiatives and tries to create the perception that it is helping the public in this way. These attempts are purely for the purpose of saving the apparent and covering up the crimes. The AKP-MHP government does not take any measures against earthquakes, it offers all the resources and opportunities of the country to its supporters and spends it on the war it wages against the Kurdish people. While it is possible to prevent the damage caused by earthquakes when necessary measures are taken against earthquakes, AKP, which has been in power for more than 20 years, has not taken any measures so far and has caused great losses in every earthquake that has occurred. Since there are fault lines in the geography including Turkey and Kurdistan and there is a high earthquake risk, the structures and infrastructure systems should be constructed accordingly. However, the AKP-MHP government, which is a completely war government and corrupt, is even overtaking the budgets allocated for the earthquake and spending it on war policies, let alone taking precautions against earthquakes. Therefore, the cause of all losses and damages is the AKP-MHP government, which is responsible for taking measures but does not take any measures.
EVERYONE SHOULD MOVE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPIRIT OF SOLIDARITY
We are making the following call due to the earthquake; Everyone, especially the people of Bakure Kurdistan, should be in a high spirit of solidarity and mobilize their resources. Our people should put forth whatever they can and try to heal their own wounds, without waiting for the state anywhere. In addition to the rescue efforts, considering the seasonal conditions, they should open their homes to those whose houses were destroyed and share their opportunities. Democratic institutions should also be in solidarity with the people, reach and help those who need support. Again, the people of Kurdistan living abroad should be in solidarity and support with the country due to the earthquake. This earthquake, which caused great losses and damage, can only be overcome with the solidarity of the people and democratic institutions, sharing their opportunities and supporting each other. We once again express our condolences for the loss of life in Rojava, Syria and other places, especially in Bakure Kurdistan and Turkey, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We express our solidarity with everyone affected by the earthquake and share their pain and feelings. We believe that we, as peoples, will get through this difficult and painful process together by being in solidarity and sharing our opportunities.”
At least 100 buildings destroyed in Bazarcix
Speaking to BBC Turkish, CHP Pazarcık District Chairman Veysel Şervan said, “At least 100 buildings have been destroyed in Pazarcık, which I only saw. Search and rescue efforts are just new, a few have arrived in the morning. There are no tents or anything at the moment. People are outside. , it is raining, there is no food, no drink, no heating, I don’t know… An effective search and rescue has not been done so far,” he said.
Amed City Council shared meeting areas
While Amed City Protection and Solidarity Platform established a crisis desk due to the earthquake, it determined the areas where the public could gather. In the statement made by the crisis desk, a call was made to wait in the assembly areas. The meeting areas are as follows:
- “*Bağlar district; Kosuyolu Park, Körhat Park, Batikent, Newroz Park.
- *Kayapinar district; City Square, Park 75, Theme Park, Park Orman Diclekent side, Diyarbakır Stadium, Talaytepe Mamedspor Complex, 75 Tennis courts and Martyr Gülser Sports Complex.
- *Sur district; Dagkapi Square
- *Yenişehir district; Demirok Wedding Hall, Anıt Park, Seyrantepe Toki Park, Seyrrantepe Sports Complex and Sümer Park.”
AT LEAST 284 PEOPLE DIED IN THE EARTHQUAKE
While 284 people identified so far died in the earthquake, 2 thousand 323 people were injured. It is stated that thousands of people are still under the rubble. Winter conditions adversely affect rescue efforts.
NETHERLANDS WARNED ABOUT THE EARTHQUAKE ON 3 FEBRUARY
Solar System Geometry Survey, a research institute established to monitor the geometry between celestial bodies related to seismic activity, issued an earthquake warning on February 3. The institute, which issued a warning on Twitter, stated that there was seismic activity between February 4-6, indicating that there will most likely be an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.
Dutch researcher Frank Hoogerbeets, who works as an earthquake expert at the institution, warned on February 3, again on Twitter: “Sooner or later, there will be an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 in South-Central Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon.”
