A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale – one of the strongest earthquakes in the region in more than 100 years – struck the region of Gaziantep in Türkiye, which impacted neighboring Syria as well.
A second 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey Monday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, mere hours after a temblor killed more than 1,600 people in the Turkish and Syrian parts of the region. That one was followed by at least 20 aftershocks.
The earlier quake, a magnitude 7.8, hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. In addition to the dead, thousands were injured and a frantic search was underway for survivors trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
In an immediate response, the European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams for Türkiye following its request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
According to the EU, Urban Search and Rescue teams have been quickly mobilized from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania to support the first responders on the ground. Italy, Spain and Slovakia have offered their rescue teams to Türkiye as well. The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in direct contact with the authorities in Türkiye to coordinate further support if needed.
The EU’s Copernicus satellite system has also been activated to provide emergency mapping services.
The EU is also ready to support those affected in Syria, which has also reported casualties, through its humanitarian assistance programs.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday his country stood ready to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria after an earthquake that killed hundreds in both countries.
“We are receiving terrible images from Turkey and Syria following an earthquake of unprecedented force,” Macron tweeted.
“France is ready to provide emergency relief to the populations on the ground. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families,” said the French president, whose relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have often been strained.
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