Devastating earthquake has rocked in Türkiye and Syria this early morning, Monday 6th February, 2023 claiming the lives of hundreds of people and injuring many more.
According to the Vice President of European Commission, Joseph Bonrell Frontelles facilitating with the country on his social media platform over this unfortunate incident.
He said, “Our thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria. The EU is ready to help”.
Also in another vein, the United States through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator, Samantha Power concerned over the earthquake that just struck Turkiye and Syria.
She said, “It’s one of most powerful to hit Turkiye in 100 yrs, the human toll, including on already displaced Syrians, will be devastating.
Adding that President Joe Biden has directed USAID to assess how the United States can help those impacted.
It was reported that a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey late tonight has caused damage in Syria, and was felt in Lebanon, and Israel, as well.
It has collapsed buildings, sparked fires in ruptured gas lines, and prompted Italian authorities to warn of potential tsunami waves.
Aftershocks, including one of 6.7 magnitude and another of 5.6, have continued to hit in the wake of the first quake.
Millions of refugees from Syria’s civil war and internally displaced persons live in the region of the epicenter, in tents and other temporary housing.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a statement saying, “The United States is profoundly concerned by the reports of today’s destructive earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance.
President Biden has directed USAID [the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other federal government partners to assess U.S. response options to help those most affected.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the Government of Türkiye.”