Turkey-Syria earthquake leaves over 6,300 dead as toll keeps rising, Turkey declares emergency
On Tuesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in ten provinces affected by two earthquakes which resulted in the deaths of more than 6,300 and caused widespread destruction in Southern Turkey and neighboring Syria.
Southern Turkey, (TechtUSA) - The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the number of fatalities from the earthquake in Turkey alone has increased to 4,544 and the number of those injured has reached 26,725.
According to the Syrian Health Ministry and the White Helmets, the number of fatalities in Syria due to the earthquake has reached 1,712, with over 3,700 individuals injured.
President Erdogan declared a state of emergency
On Tuesday, President Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency for three months in ten southern provinces in Turkey that were affected by the devastating earthquakes and designated the region as a disaster zone to support rescue efforts.
"Based on the authority given to us by Article 119 of the Constitution, we decided to declare a state of emergency," Erdogan stated at the State Information Coordination Center in the Ankara, capital of Turkey.
"We are facing one of the biggest disasters not only of the history of the Turkish Republic but also of our geography and the world," Erdogan said yesterday.
The announcement of the state of emergency was made as the death toll from Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria surpassed 6,300 and rescue teams were working against the clock to extract people from the ruins of collapsed buildings.
International aid and rescue efforts deployed to Turkey and Syria
Countries around the world have responded to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria by sending aid, rescue workers, and medical teams to assist in the recovery effort.
The European Union has sent 27 teams from 19 member states with over 1,150 rescuers and 70 rescue dogs.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched a 78-member rescue team consisting of firefighters, paramedics, specialists, doctors, structural engineers, and canine search teams.
South Korea sent a 60-person rescue team and medical supplies via military aircraft.
Germany sent its International Search and Rescue team, which specializes in rescuing people buried under rubble.
India dispatched a National Disaster Response Force rescue team, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance.
Algeria sent 115 tons of emergency aid to Aleppo, and Lebanon will waive taxes and fees for planes and ships bringing aid to Syria and send a delegation including civil defense workers, Red Cross volunteers, engineers, and firefighters.
Spain sent two ships, "Juan Carlos I" with 500 marines and "Galicia" with aid material, to assist with rescue efforts in the affected area.
Iraq pledged to send two planes of emergency relief aid to Syria and civil defense teams and 150 paramedics to Turkey.
Russia also announced it will provide direct aid to Syria and send emergency response workers.
A footage of a little girl being saved under debris after Turkey's huge earthquakeNews & Culture
