Death Toll Rises to 29 in Eastern Turkey Earthquake... Damage Scale Increases

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The death toll from the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck eastern Turkey has risen to 29, Anadolu Agency reported on the 25th (local time). The number of injured has also exceeded 1,200.

According to the report, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkey announced that 29 people have died and 1,234 have been injured so far in Elazig and nearby Malatya in eastern Turkey, where the earthquake occurred. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near the village of Sivris in Elabi, eastern Turkey, on the afternoon of the previous day. AFAD initially reported 22 deaths, but the number increased by 7 within a day.

AFAD stated that 43 people have been rescued from building debris in Elazig as of today. Rescue teams deployed sensors, search dogs, and excavators to find missing persons buried under the rubble, and military forces were also reportedly involved in the rescue operations. Among those rescued was a woman who had been trapped under a collapsed house for 17 hours.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled his scheduled speech in Istanbul immediately after the earthquake and visited Elazig and Malatya to assess the damage. He attended the funeral of a woman who died in the earthquake and called this disaster a "test" for Turkey, stating that all measures are being taken to assist the earthquake victims.

AFAD stated in a press release that authorities have counted 514 buildings severely damaged and 409 buildings lightly damaged in Elazig and Malatya, respectively. Additionally, 72 structures have collapsed.