Earthquake in North Kurdistan: Hundreds dead, thousands trapped under rubble

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit the cities of Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep in Bakure (North) Kurdistan, leaving hundreds dead and injured. Thousands of people are still trapped under rubble.

According to the information released by Turkish state officials, 912 people have lost their lives and 5 thousand 385 people have been injured so far. Search and rescue operations are still continuing. In many places, people carry out search and rescue by their own means.

10:31 am

Beştaş: We have to heal the wounds of the earthquake together

HDP Group Deputy Chair Meral Danış Beştaş called for solidarity, saying that “we have to heal the wounds of this earthquake together under very harsh winter conditions”.

The Freedom March Against Isolation, which is scheduled to take place in Yüksekova today, has been postponed due to the earthquake. An HDP delegation went to the earthquake-affected areas. In a statement made in Yüksekova Beştaş said: “It is a very sad day; millions of people are worried right now. Hundreds of people are still under rubble. There is traffic jam in many places. We have to heal the wounds of this earthquake together under very harsh winter conditions.

The governor in Maraş said that he could not share information about the death toll, injuries or damaged buildings. This shows that the situation is very grave. Moreover, we receive very bad news from Antep, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adana, Diyarbakır, Bingöl, Malatya and many other cities. An international call has been made to foreign countries to help rescue operations.

'LET'S OPEN HOUSES, SEND EQUIPMENT'

Beştaş said: “I call on everyone who is not affected by the earthquake and whose buildings are intact, to stand in solidarity with those affected. I call on them not only to open their houses but also to show solidarity by providing diapers, food, blankets, all kinds of logistic assistance. Furthermore, there is traffic jam. Please don't use your cars unless it is necessary to provide help and support. Let's be careful not to spread false information. Because panic will make things worse.

As the HDP, we will stand by our citizens who have been affected by the earthquake. All our plans have been postponed. The Freedom March Against Isolation has been cancelled. We will focus on the earthquake. Our Co-Chairs, party members, deputies, Parliamentary Group and provincial and district organizations will be in the earthquake zone.

10:29

20 people died in Şanlıurfa

Many buildings have been destroyed in Şanlıurfa and its districts. It is reported that 60 buildings have been destroyed in the centre of the city and in the districts of Hewag (Bozova), Berecûk (Birecik), Pîrsûs (Suruç). At least 20 buildings in the central Haliliye and Eyubiye districts of the city have been destroyed and 20 people who were rescued from rubble lost their lives and around 100 injured were taken to hospitals.

In suburbs in question, at least 40 buildings have been destroyed and many people are still trapped under rubble.

A damaged building collapsed in Bahçelievler neighbourhood as debris removal was in progress. An official warning has been given to stay away from damaged buildings.

10:22

BINGÖL-DERSİM-SIIRT

Governor Kadir Ekinci, who made a statement after the earthquake in Bingöl city, said that they did not receive any serious damage throughout the city. It is reported that some buildings have been damaged in 8 villages of the Genç district.

Due to the earthquake in Dersim and Siirt cities, people spent the night on the streets. Several houses have been damaged.

10:22

ELAZIG

The earthquake was powerful in Elazig city as well. Damage has been reported in some parts of Fırat University Hospital. Many buildings in the city have been damaged.

10:22

BATMAN

2 buildings have been damaged in the Komando Street in the Raman District of Batman province. Many buildings in the city, including Batman Training and Research Hospital, have been slightly damaged.

10:21 am

3 injured in Shehba

Some houses in the Babinis and Til Qerah villages of Shehba canton have been destroyed by the earthquake. Zehredin Cabir (60), Dilişan Hemliko (36) and Ebdo Hebib Elo (4), who were under rubble, were injured.

10:14 am

Gathering places in Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiye

As part of the rescue operations carried out by the Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiye People's Assembly, those whose houses have been damaged on the east side of Şêxmeqsûd neighbourhood have been transferred to the designated centres. Following the rescue operations carried out by the 21 communes of the Assembly, families affected by the earthquake have been placed in the Arin Mirkan and Afrin parks in Eşrefiye neighbourhood, as well as in mosques and schools in both neighbourhoods.