Egypt ready to provide aid to earthquake-stricken Turkey & Syria: Foreign ministry

Ahram Online , Monday 6 Feb 2023

Egypt is ready to provide assistance to face the horrifying impacts of the deadly earthquake that struck both Turkey and Syria as well as a number of Eastern Mediterranean countries early on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

earthquake
People search for survivors in Diyarbakir, on February 6, 2023, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country s south-east. AFP

 

Egypt extends condolences and affirms its solidarity with both Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquake, the statement said.

Egypt also offers its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and the brotherly Turkish and Syrian peoples over this painful affliction, the ministry added.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and thousands injured in both Turkey and Syria by the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake and many strong aftershocks that struck both countries and flattened buildings at around 4am today.

The death toll is likely to rise further as search and rescue operations are still underway in the afflicted cities and towns.

The tremors were also felt in many nearby countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Iraq, Romania and Israel.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake took place at a depth of 17.9 kilometres near the Turkish city of Gaziantep.

More than 230 people were killed in Syria, according to the Syrian health ministry.

The quake affected 10 Turkish cities, including Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir and Kilis, said Turkish Interior Minister Suleymon Soylu.

In Syria, several government-held and rebel-held areas were strongly hit by the tremors that collapsed buildings, including in the cities of Aleppo and Hama.

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