The death toll due to the earthquake in Turkey has reached at least 1,797 people. BBC has confirmed that at least 1,797 people have died in Turkey, which is the epicenter of the earthquake, and 1,783 in neighboring Syria.
According to international media, the number of people who lost their lives will increase due to the search in the ruins of the destroyed communications due to the earthquake. According to CNN, more than 6,000 injured people are being treated in various hospitals in both countries and the details of the injured are being collected.
A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.8 occurred in Turkey at 4:17 am local time and 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1:24 pm local time. The earthquake in the afternoon caused more problems in search and rescue. BBC reports that there are several other aftershocks.
Turkey has declared a national emergency and appealed for international assistance. Meanwhile, the US has said that it is worried about the details of the disaster. US President Joe Biden has instructed the country’s international aid agency to analyze how help can be delivered, according to the BBC. The European Union is sending a search and rescue team to Turkey. Search and rescue teams from the UK and Romania have already left to help in the rescue operation. Countries including France and Germany have said that they will help.
Turkey is one of the most active seismic regions in the world. In 1999, more than 17,000 people lost their lives after a powerful earthquake struck the north-west.