Earthquake Kills 5000 in Turkey and Syria – Footballer Christian Atsu is a Victim.
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Southern Turkey struck in the early hours of Monday claiming thousands of lives, and living thousands injured. Among the injured persons is Christian Atsu, a Ghanaian footballer who was stuck under the rubble for hours. He was reportedly found having breathing difficulties and an injury to his right foot, and is currently receiving treatment. About 45 countries has offered to help the search and rescue efforts in Turkey with Russia, United States and Greece personnel already assisting with the operations.
According to the United States Geological Survey, at least 54 aftershocks measuring at least 4.3 have occurred since the 7.8 magnitude quake endangering rescuers struggling to pull casualties from the rubble. The aftershocks stretched more than 300 kilometers from the border with Syria affecting the war-torn Northwest Syria which has been decimated by 11 years of war.
“Turkey’s capacity to deal with the disaster far outweighs Syria’s”, Dr Mazen Kewara the Turkey Director for the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) told CNN.Northwest Syria has about 4.5 million internally displaced persons who depend on cross-border humanitarian aid and international support efforts that are stretched and underfunded.
Syrian communities are simultaneously hit with an ongoing cholera outbreak and harsh winter events including heavy rain and snow over the weekend, U.N. spokesman Stephen Dujarric told reporters in New York. The freezing winter weather coupled with poor internet connections and damaged roads are hampering efforts to find survivors who are left injured and homeless. Israel says it is poised to send quake aid for old foe.
Turkey’s disaster agency appeals for assistance from the international community to conduct search and rescue and operations. The President has declared seven days of national mourning while officials continue to update the death tolls as rescue efforts continue
Edited by: Christabel Appiah-Danso
