Turkey-Syria earthquake: worlds nations rush to help as death toll rises
Countries have rushed to dispatch aid, personnel and equipment to help rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria after a huge earthquake on Monday killed thousands.
Rescuers searched through the frigid night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region.
The death toll rose above 5,000 on Tuesday, official data showed. At least 3,419 people have died in Turkey and 1,602 in government- and rebel-controlled parts of Syria, bringing the total to at least 5,021, officials and medical sources said.
There are fears that the toll will rise inexorably, with World Health Organization officials estimating up to 20,000 may have died.
The European Union has mobilised search and rescue teams to help Turkey, while the 27-nation bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services.
At least 13 member countries have offered assistance. The EU said it was also ready to offer help to Syria through its humanitarian assistance programmes.
The United States is coordinating immediate assistance to Nato-member Turkey, including teams to support search and rescue efforts. US-supported humanitarian partners are also responding to the destruction in Syria.
Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so deadly?
Chinese state media said on Tuesday that Beijing was sending rescuers, medical teams and other supplies, as well as offering 40 million yuan (US$5.9 million) in assistance.
China’s President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Turkish and Syrian leaders, CCTV reported on Monday.
Taiwan is sending 130 rescue squad members, five search dogs and 13 tonnes of equipment to Turkey. Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang said the first group left for Turkey late Monday and another was sent Tuesday. Taiwan earlier said it would donate US$200,000 to Turkey.
Meanwhile, Russian rescue teams from the emergencies ministry are preparing to fly to Syria, where Russian military deployed in that country already has sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors.
The Russian military has set up points to distribute humanitarian assistance. Russia also has offered help to Turkey, which has been accepted.
The Israeli army says it is sending a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers to Turkey. The delegation was to leave Israel on Monday evening. The army said they would provide “immediate assistance in life-saving efforts”.
The two countries, once close regional allies, are in the process of mending ties after years of tensions. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has also approved a request for humanitarian aid for Syria, received through a diplomatic official.
Powerful quake hits Mexico on anniversary of devastating tremors
Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations and the two countries have fought several wars.
Germany’s foreign ministry said it is coordinating its aid response with EU partners and readying deliveries of emergency generators, tents, blankets and water treatment equipment. It also has offered to send teams from the THW civil protection agency to Turkey to help with the response.
The group International Search and Rescue Germany was also preparing to fly dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkey late on Monday.
Neighbour and historic regional rival Greece is sending Turkey a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, together with a structural engineer, five doctors and seismic planning experts in a military transport plane.
Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is sending soldiers, Red Cross and Civil Defence first responders, and firefighters to Turkey to help with its rescue efforts.
Jordan is sending emergency aid to earthquake-hit Syria and Turkey on the orders of King Abdullah II.
The Czech Republic is sending Turkey a team of 68 rescuers, including firefighters, doctors, structural engineers and also experts with sniffer dogs
Britain is sending 76 search-and-rescue specialists with equipment and dogs, as well as an emergency medical team, to Turkey. The UK also says it is in contact with the UN about getting support to victims in Syria.
More help on the way
Swiss rescue dog service REDOG is sending 22 rescuers with 14 dogs to Turkey. The government said it would also send 80 search and rescue specialists to the country, including army disaster experts
Japan is sending a group of about 75 rescuers to Turkey
Austria has offered to send 84 soldiers from a military disaster relief unit to Turkey
Spain is preparing to send two Urban Search and Rescue teams to Turkey with 85 personnel, and a contingent of volunteer firefighters
Italy’s Civil Protection Agency has offered assistance to Turkey. A firefighting team was preparing to leave from Pisa, and the Italian military says transport flights will carry equipment as well as health and other personnel
France is dispatching rescue teams to Turkey
Poland is sending Turkey 76 firefighters and eight trained dogs, with equipment
Romania is sending specialised personnel and material to Turkey on two military aircraft
Croatia is sending 40 men and 10 dogs, rescue equipment and vans to Turkey
Serbia is sending 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkey
Montenegro is sending at least 24 firefighters to Turkey
Moldova’s president says 55 rescuers have been sent to Turkey
Egypt has pledged urgent humanitarian aid to Turkey.
Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51ku6bD0miuqKqcmXyutcOdo55llZbAtXvAq6uim5yafHR%2Bj3JqamxfrLyzuMOsZKeZpJ68r7%2BMq6ysoF2dsq28jKSgpaSVp3q1wdGknLJlo66%2Fqq2MnpirrJimwqK3xGarqKScYr%2Bqv8Ss