Deadly Earthquakes Rock Turkey and Syria

As of February 9, more than 20,000 people have been confirmed dead and tens of thousands of others injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Syria only hours later. Since then, there has been at least 100 aftershocks measuring 4.0 magnitude or greater. For Turkey, this earthquake was the strongest the country has seen in over 100 years. The magnitude of this earthquake matched one that killed 30,000 people in 1939. Turkey has seen many earthquakes over the years as it is over two major tectonic plates, the Arabian plate and the Eurasian plate, which borders two major fault lines. 

Soon after the quake, a winter storm set in, threatening more lives as people are still stuck under buildings and rubble. As they go days without food or water, they are also at risk of hypothermia as the temperature dips well below zero. The weather makes it hard for rescue and recovery to reach certain areas that were affected. The weather also impacts the structure, when water expands and the snow makes debris heavier, there is another risk of structure collapse. According to Turkey’s disaster agency, more than 5,700 buildings collapsed. Those who lived through the quake now struggle to survive as lack of water and power threaten more disaster. Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at University College London says the time for finding more victims alive is rapidly closing, “Typically, few survivors are pulled out after 72 hours – yet every life saved is essential and some people are extricated after many days.” Nearby countries have been sending aid to Turkey and Syria, which will speed up the search-and-rescue efforts. 

Hospitals around the country, the ones that are still standing, are relying on generators to keep them up and running. Still, many hospitals are overwhelmed with survivors and are asking for more resources. 

By Caroline Cranman