Massive tremors last week, centered in Kahramanmaras, impact more than 13M people across 10 provinces

By Anadolu Agency 

ANKARA (AA) - At least 31,643 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye last week, the country's disaster agency said on Monday.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours on Feb. 6.

Nearly 238,500 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

More than 158,000 people have been evacuated from the quake-hit regions so far, AFAD said.

A total of 9,401 foreign personnel from 77 countries are currently working in the field, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

It also said 99 countries have offered assistance thus far and seven more countries are expected to send rescue teams.

Condolences have poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.

Family tents set up for victims

Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams, along with over 12,300 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and bulldozers, were also sent to affected areas.

Nearly 155,400 tents have been set up for the survivors, AFAD said.

After the initial earthquake, an air aid corridor was established by the Turkish Armed Forces to deliver search and rescue teams to the region.

A large number of aircraft for transport, including A-400Ms, carried search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes are also using the air aid corridor.

Rescue and relief personnel and materials were sent to the region with 170 helicopters and 76 aircrafts, AFAD said.

A total of 26 ships were also assigned to the region for personnel and material shipment and for evacuation.

Visiting quake-hit Diyarbakir to inspect relief efforts, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said the last week's quakes were "three times stronger and destructive" than 1999 Marmara earthquake that was recorded as the biggest disaster in Türkiye's history.