In ten provinces affected by terrible earthquakes and numerous aftershocks that have killed thousands of people and turned buildings to rubble in southeast Turkey and northwest Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proclaimed a three-month state of emergency.
A day after the first 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey, Erdogan declared in broadcast remarks, “We have decided to declare a state of emergency to ensure that our [rescue and recovery] work can be carried out quickly.”
The tremor was followed by dozens of powerful aftershocks, including another magnitude 7.6 quake.
In his speech, Erdogan said that 70 nations had offered assistance with search and rescue efforts and that Turkey planned to establish hotels in the western tourist destination of Antalya to host earthquake victims temporarily.
He said that 3,549 people had died in Turkey, bringing the total number of fatalities, including those in northern Syria to more than 5,000.
Erdogan made his remarks as frantic search and rescue efforts continued for a second day in a row in freezing temperatures.
Humanitarian help has been rushedly provided by countries and relief organizations.
However, more inclement weather is predicted to affect the area, severely impeding rescue efforts.
It has also been challenging to locate survivors and deliver vital relief to affected areas due to collapsed buildings and wrecked roadways. In addition, a number of airports have been closed due to earthquake damage.
Author-Roberta Appiah
