Heavy Earthquake Jolts Turkey, Syria; 2,200 Dead

Web Desk — Massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes jolted central Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday, claiming more than 2,200 people while injuring thounds. The earthquake was so horrible that several high-rise buildings collapsed within seconds. The rescue workers are trying their best to find people still under the debris.

The earthquake struck early morning on Monday when most people were asleep. It is said that the quake was the worst of this century. Cyprus and Lebanon felt this earthquake.

According to the US Geological Survey, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake also struck southeast Turkey. The earthquake hit at 1:24 pm (1024 GMT) four kilometers (2.5 miles) south-southeast of the Turkish town of Ekinozu.

An injured woman in Diyarbakir told reporters, “We were shaken like a cradle. There were nine of us at home. My two sons are still in the rubble, I’m waiting for them.”

According to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan authorities were doing all they could and first priority was to find people still under the debris. He said more than 45 countries have offered assistance. The Turkish President hoped they would soon come out of this catastrophe as soon as possible.

He further said he could not predict how much the death toll would rise as search and rescue efforts continued.

On the other hand, Syria, already devastated by more than 11 years of civil war, the health ministry said more than 326 people had been killed and 1,042 injured.

Maryam, 29, from the Southeastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras said, “We woke up to a big noise and severe shaking. Two aftershocks came later.”

“I was scared enough to think it will never stop. I took some things for my one-year-old son and left the building.”

The footage, of Syria’s Aleppo city, circulating on Twitter shows 2 neighboring buildings collapsing one after the other filling the street with dust clouds. People said the buildings had fallen in the hours after the quake.

Syria rescue teams are busy searching for survivors in heavy rain and sleet.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in an emergency cabinet meeting reviewed the damage and discuss the next steps.

In the Lebanese cities of Beirut and Tripoli and in Damascus ran into the street and took to their cars to get away from their buildings in fear of collapses, witnesses said.

Turkey’s Worst quake since 1999
President Erdogan said 45 countries had offered to help with the search and rescue efforts.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Twitter, “The United States was profoundly concerned about the quake and was monitoring events closely. We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance.”