WASHINGTON – The number of people who died in the powerful earthquakes in southern Türkiye has surpassed 12,000, a government agency said early Thursday.
Türkiye’s disaster management agency, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency), said 12,391 people died and 62,914 others were injured in Monday’s quakes centered in Kahramanmaras province.
Other provinces in southern and eastern Türkiye that were affected by the quakes are Gaziantep, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, Diyarbakir and Kilis.
More than 6,000 buildings collapsed due to the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude quakes that occurred in the span of less than 10 hours.
Türkiye has taken action with all its institutions and resources since the deadly earthquakes in its southern provinces, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
"We have mobilized all our resources. The state is working with municipalities, especially AFAD, with all its means," Erdogan said as he inspected relief efforts in Kahramanmaras.
More than 13 million people have been impacted by the quakes.
For search and rescue operations to be carried out rapidly, Türkiye on Tuesday announced a three-month state of emergency in the quake-hit provinces.
In addition, Türkiye is observing seven days of national mourning after the devastating quakes.
All national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice. Schools nationwide will be closed until Feb. 13, and education in the 10 affected provinces is on hold until Feb. 20.
After the quakes, condolences poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid. (Anadolu)
