Tremors with strengths over 7 – Around 1800 dead in severe earthquakes in Turkey and Syria – News

  • Several violent earthquakes have rocked southeastern Turkey and northern Syria.
  • About 1800 people lost their lives. Thousands were injured.
  • In view of the many buried people, the number of victims is likely to continue to rise.
  • The first two tremors on Monday morning had a magnitude of 7.8 and 6.7. Another 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck during the day.
  • The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) currently has no knowledge of Swiss victims. The Federal Council has promised emergency aid.

In Turkey, the civil protection service Afad counted 1014 victims by early Monday afternoon. More than 7000 people were injured.

In Syria, Deputy Health Minister Ahmed Dhamirijeh and the rescue organization Weisshelme reported a total of 780 deaths. More than 2200 people were injured.

No knowledge of Swiss victims


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The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) currently has “no knowledge” of Swiss victims. However, it is in contact with the representations in Ankara and Istanbul and is clarifying further, the media office told SRF.

In tweets, Federal President Alain Berset and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis promised immediate aid for Turkey and Syria.

Two tremors in quick succession – 22 aftershocks

According to the civil protection agency Afad, the epicenter of the first earthquake was in the province of Kahramanmaras near the Syrian border. A second tremor was measured eleven minutes later in Gaziantep province. The Swiss Seismological Service of ETH Zurich gave the strengths as 7.8 and 6.7.

The tremors lasted a minute. According to experts, the epicenter was at a depth of ten kilometers. Another 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the region at noon.

Italy issued a tsunami warning early in the morning, but later withdrew it.

Sleet makes recovery work difficult

Buildings collapsed in many cities in Syria. Photos showed rescue teams carrying people away on stretchers. Heavy rain and sleet complicate the rescue work.

It could be terrible for the people of Idlib.

Many houses have collapsed in Idlib, south of the Turkish border. The city south of the Turkish border is currently occupied by the Turkish army. According to correspondent Thomas Seibert, the supply situation is very difficult anyway, especially now in winter. “It could be very terrible for the people there.”

2818 buildings collapsed

According to preliminary data, 2,818 buildings collapsed in Turkey. More victims are believed to be under the rubble. Residential buildings and a hospital in the city of Iskenderun were among the collapsed buildings.

Feverish search for victims

The government in Ankara pulled together rescue teams from all over the country and declared alert level four. She also asked for international help.

Several airports in regions of Turkey particularly affected by the earthquake remain closed to civil flights for the time being. It is about the airports in Hatay, Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep.

The quake was also felt in Israel, Lebanon and Cyprus.

NATO partners offer help

In an emergency, Turkey gets help from its NATO partners. Allies are in the process of mobilizing support, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

Israel, Greece, Italy, Germany and the United States had previously promised Turkey humanitarian aid. Despite the Turkish blockade of their NATO contributions, the governments of Finland and Sweden expressed their condolences.

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