Over 2,100 dead in 7.8 magnitude earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

The death toll rose to more than 2,100 as a 7.8 magnitude earthquake reportedly struck Turkey and Syria on Monday morning. Accordingly The Wall Street Journalthe massive earthquake was followed only a few hours later by a second one.

The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 2,300 in both countries, authorities said

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) February 6, 2023

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the country on Monday morning

According to the outlet, the first earthquake hit the countries around 4:17 a.m. It reportedly happened in the middle of a winter storm. And authorities reported that 900 people were killed, 5,400 injured and over 2,000 buildings collapsed.

In addition, search teams rescued over 2,500 people from the rubble.

Then, in the afternoon, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake shook the region. Authorities have now described the disaster as “the worst seismic event in Turkey in decades”.

The 7.8-magnitude tremor was felt in four countries with multiple aftershocks, shaking an area home to millions of Turkish citizens, displaced Syrians and refugees in Turkey’s worst seismic event in decades. above @WSJ

— Gráinne McCarthy (@grainnemcc) February 6, 2023

Citizens were roused frantically from their beds as they felt the onset of the earthquake

The outlet said the country’s citizens woke up in despair from the earthquake that shook everything around them. Many people reportedly ran into the streets as “buildings collapsed around them” and “sirens wailed”.

A man shared his experience with reporters.

The house shook like a baby’s cradle. It was like a nightmare. I woke up the kids. I told them to stay calm. We left the building. Everyone was screaming, crying in panic.

Throughout the day, citizens chose to remain in their cars – fearing that the buildings would collapse unexpectedly when they returned to their homes.

Yakzan Shishakly, co-founder of a Syrian aid organization, further elaborated on people’s fear.

People just ran away. They don’t know where, but they just ran outside.

Syria’s White Helmets have declared a state of emergency

While rescue efforts are underway, Syria’s White Helmets have placed the country under a state of emergency. The group is a volunteer agency “officially known as Syria Civil Defense” that reportedly “operates in parts of opposition-controlled Syria and Turkey.”

An English teacher shared the efforts of volunteers struggling to save lives.

People work with their bare hands. No gear, just trying to get people out from under the rubble. Some people are taken out alive. Some people are brought out dead. Some of them are still there.

Death toll from #Earthquake in the NW #Syria now at 221+ with 419+ injured. Difficulties in rescue efforts as hundreds are trapped under rubble and heavy equipment is needed. The number is expected to rise as hundreds of families are still trapped. pic.twitter.com/Tt433BrzP6

– The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 6, 2023

Recovery efforts have been made more difficult due to harsh winter weather, but one citizen says “everyone is putting their heart and soul into it.”

The fact that it’s winter, the weather is cold and the earthquake happened in the middle of the night makes the work difficult, but everyone is putting their heart and soul into it.

The call of the countries for international help

Accordingly The Wall Street JournalTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the nation and its current death toll.

At the moment we do not know how high the number of dead and injured will increase.

The Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has also declared a state of emergency for the country, which now needs the helping hand of other nations.

According to the outlet, President Biden intends to provide “any and all assistance needed” from the US. France, Germany, Italy and Poland have also offered their help.

Terrifying shaking from 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Turkey pic.twitter.com/nRTpAQVLFA

— Sultan Khan Yousufzai (@Sultank52140629) February 6, 2023