Search and rescue teams have pulled out over 8,000 people alive from debris since strong earthquakes struck southern Türkiye last week, says President Erdogan

By Anadolu Agency 

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye is grateful to all the countries for the help they provided for the search and rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of the powerful twin earthquakes, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

In a video message sent to the World Government Summit in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, the Turkish leader said the teams have pulled out more than 8,000 people alive from the quake debris since the strong tremors struck southern Türkiye last week.

He also said a large number of over 81,000 people injured in the earthquakes have been discharged from hospitals.

"I would like to thank once again to all the friendly and sisterly countries that have been collecting aid for our nation day and night, supporting our search and rescue efforts with their teams, and not forgetting us in their prayers," Erdogan added.

Türkiye, which is facing one of the "greatest natural disasters" not only in its history but also in the history of humanity, will never forget "the friendship you showed on this dark day," he said.

The earthquake disaster "once again showed the importance of international solidarity," he stressed, as Türkiye has received messages of support and condolences from more than 100 countries, including the United Arab Emirates who is hosting the summit.

On Feb. 6, two massive earthquakes struck southern Türkiye.

The magnitude 7.6 and 7.7 tremors were centered in Kahramanmaras and hit nine other provinces – Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

They also hit several countries and caused widespread destruction in northern Syria.

More than 31,600 people were killed in Türkiye, according to the latest official figures, while the death toll topped 3,600 in Syria.