The death toll from the Turkey-Syria earthquake has risen to a startling 19,000 people. This latest update is heartbreaking and aching, as there are still many thousands of people trapped beneath the ruins.
The Monday earthquake measured 7.7, followed by another 7.5 after the shock, and the chances of finding more survivors trapped in the rubble are dwindling by the hour.
The United Nations and nations around the world have banded together to provide assistance to Turkey and Syria during this difficult time.
The tragedy and devastation in Turkey’s Hatay province have been the most concerning, with more people still trapped beneath massive piles of rubble.
Thermal cameras used at the home of Ghanaian football player Christian Atsu have confirmed that many people are still alive under the rubble of Turkey’s earthquakes.
Because Turkey is located on several active seismic zones, earthquakes can be extremely destructive. Turkey is located at the meeting point of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes.
Several large earthquakes with significant loss of life and property have struck Turkey in recent decades. The 1999 zmit earthquake, for example, had a magnitude of 7.4 and caused widespread damage and loss of life in Turkey’s Marmara region.
Similar to that, the 6.8-magnitude Elaz earthquake that occurred in eastern Turkey in 2020 resulted in significant damage and fatalities.
Turkey has implemented a number of steps, such as construction rules and retrofitting existing structures, to lessen the effects of earthquakes.
To lessen the effects of future earthquakes, the nation must continue to invest in earthquake readiness and response measures since many buildings, particularly in older parts of cities, remain susceptible to them.