Death toll surpasses 7900 in earthquake hit Turkey-Syria

At least 7,926 people have died as a result of the Monday earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria, according to reports from officials cited by CNN.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay issued a statement on Tuesday claiming that at least 5,894 people had died and 34,810 had been injured in Turkey. In contrast, the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the “White Helmets,” reported on Tuesday that 1,220 people had died and 2,600 had been injured in northwest Syria. Ten southern regions in Turkey were placed under a three-month state of emergency on Tuesday after being slammed by powerful earthquakes, according to the Anadolu Agency.

Addressing the State Information Coordination Center in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said, “Based on the authority given to us by Article 119 of the Constitution, we decided to declare a state of emergency.”

“We will quickly complete the presidential and parliamentary processes about the state of emergency decision, which will cover 10 provinces where earthquakes have occurred and will last for three months,” he added.

Meanwhile, an Indian Air Force Globemaster C-17 carrying 100 Indian Army officers, medical supplies, and other cargo departed for Turkey from Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad. India is offering its assistance to Turkey in the on-going crisis following the earthquake that shook the nation on Monday.

Official told ANI that as per standard operating procedure, its aircraft have avoided flying over Pakistan.

They said, “Our aircraft don’t fly over Pakistan as this is our standard operating procedure. Our planes take a longer route by flying from the Gujarat side to avoid Pakistani air space while going towards Europe or West Asia.”

While speaking to ANI, Rajesh Nayar, PSU under the Ministry of Health (HLL Life Care), said, “Medicines, life-saving drugs and other equipment are being sent to Syria for the people affected by the devastating earthquakes. The medicines, life-saving drugs and other equipment are being sent in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health.”