DDHK. ORG – Turkey and Syria were hit by an earthquake on Monday (6/2/2023). Geological Surveyi United States (United States Geological Survey/USGS) predicts that the death toll from an earthquake with a magnitude of 7,7 in Turkey to Syria could reach 10 people.
Reporting from CNN, The USGS recorded a 47 percent chance that the death toll would pass between 100 and 1.000. Meanwhile, another 20 percent can reach between 10 thousand and 100 thousand.
This prediction is taken from modeling based on the history of earthquakes in the region. In addition, estimates are also determined from consideration of the population that was hit by the heaviest shocks and the vulnerability of structures in the most affected zones.
"A high casualty toll and extensive damage is likely and the disaster is likely to be widespread," said the USGS report.
"The population in this area lives in structures that are very vulnerable to earthquake shaking, although there are some structures that do survive."
The report also estimated potential economic losses in the range of US$1 billion to US$10 billion. That amount could reach up to 2 percent of Turkey's GDP.
Turkey was rocked by a magnitude 7,7 earthquake today. The quake was felt as far away as Syria and killed more than 500 people.
Meanwhile, 3 people in the two areas were reported injured. Until now, thousands of buildings including apartment and office buildings have been reported to have collapsed.
The authorities also estimate that the death toll is likely to continue to increase because many missing people are believed to be still trapped under the rubble.
In Turkey, debris evacuation and rescue operations were also hampered by winter snowstorms that covered major roads with ice and snow.
Hundreds of Indonesian Citizens Affected by the Earthquake
While Kompas.id According to reports, as many as 500 Indonesian citizens were affected by the earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria. So far, nearly 600 people have died in the disaster that occurred on Monday morning.
Indonesian Ambassador in Ankara Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said the earthquake was felt very strongly in Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep and Osmaniye which were the epicenters of the earthquake.
At least 18 earthquakes have been observed since 04.17 local time. "The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara has coordinated with local authorities. So far, no Indonesian citizens have died," he said from Ankara.
According to data from the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, there were 500 Indonesian citizens in the epicenter of the earthquake. Most of the students, some of them work in a number of international organizations. So far, three Indonesian citizens have been confirmed injured as a result of the disaster.
While a number of other Indonesian citizens had to leave their homes which were damaged by the earthquake.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara is working on temporary shelters pending handling from the local authorities," he said.
The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara continues to coordinate with local authorities to monitor the impact of the earthquake. It is feared, the number of dead and injured continues to grow. Because, enormous damage occurred in the border region of Turkey with Syria.
Turkish media, Anadolu Agency and Huriyet, reported that as of Monday afternoon, nearly 500 deaths and at least 2.400 people were injured in Turkey. At least 2.300 buildings in the three provinces were damaged with various scales of destruction.
Meanwhile in Syria, at least 100 people were killed by the earthquake. The dead and injured in Syria were scattered in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. Many buildings in Latakia and Aleppo were destroyed by the earthquake. Some of the buildings are places of refuge for victims of the Syrian civil war.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reported that the tremors of the earthquake were also felt in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. So far, there have been no reports of deaths or injuries in Palestine and Israel.
A number of people in Cyprus and Lebanon also claimed to have felt vibrations when the earthquake hit Turkey and Syria.
Earthquake Emergency
Ankara has imposed a state of emergency in a number of provinces. Apart from the three epicenter provinces, it is feared that the victims will also be in a number of other provinces.
The tremors that were felt up to Jerusalem were used as a reason for concern that there were still many victims of the earthquake in Turkey-Syria. Jerusalem is 622 kilometers from Gaziantep.
To Anadolu, a number of eyewitnesses said they had never experienced an earthquake like this. They were very panicked because the earthquake occurred in the early hours of the morning.
In winter like now, Turkish citizens can only see the new sun rising at 08.00 local time. When the earthquake occurred, most people were still sleeping.
With so many buildings damaged and the quake occurring while the majority of people were sleeping, it is feared there are still many victims under the rubble. Ankara said clearing debris to find victims was a priority.
In addition, the authorities also focus on providing temporary housing. Now, the average temperature around the earthquake site is below 5 degrees Celsius. In fact, at night, the temperature can drop below zero degrees Celsius.
The government banned all buildings at the earthquake site from being entered except by rescue workers. Because, the building was feared to collapse after the earthquake shook.
United States President Joe Biden has asked a number of US agencies to examine the assistance that can be provided to Turkey immediately. The European Union is also reviewing the first shipments of emergency aid to Turkey and Syria.
Most EU members are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Turkey is the owner of the second largest army in NATO. [DDHK News]
