Over 7,800 Dead in Turkey Earthquake
Freezing Cold Shortens Golden Time Ahead
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on the 6th (local time) has exceeded 7,800, with casualties continuing to rise. Since rescue operations have not yet been completed, some predict that the death toll from this earthquake could increase to as many as 20,000.
On the 6th (local time), residents in Osmaniye, southern Turkey, are moving to shelters to escape the earthquake. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to major foreign news agencies including AFP, Turkish and Syrian authorities have announced that the death toll from the earthquake has surpassed 7,800 so far. It is difficult to ascertain the exact number of victims as citizens are trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings caused by the earthquake.
The Next 24 Hours: The Golden Time for Rescue
Moreover, concerns are rising that the harsh cold weather covering Turkey and Syria is hampering rescue efforts, potentially shortening the golden time for survivors. The British BBC reported, "The next 24 hours are the golden time and the last chance to find survivors," warning that after 48 hours, many will die from hypothermia.
Survivors who barely escaped with their lives are shivering from the cold on frozen roads. BBC reported that residents who lost their homes in the earthquake in Kahramanmara?, Turkey, are enduring the cold by warming themselves around bonfires without even wearing coats. According to Turkish authorities, 6,000 buildings were destroyed in this earthquake.
With ongoing aftershocks and cold weather, the death toll is expected to rise further. The World Health Organization (WHO) projected that in the worst case, the death toll from the earthquake could reach 20,000. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also estimated that more than 10,000 deaths could occur.
International Community’s Rescue Efforts
The international community has extended a helping hand to Turkey, which suffered severe damage from the strong earthquake. South Korea dispatched an emergency relief team consisting of 118 members to Turkey.
U.S. President Joe Biden stated, "We are ready to provide all necessary support to Turkey and Syria," and sent two teams of 79 members each for search and rescue operations. China decided to provide emergency aid worth 40 million yuan (approximately 7.4 billion Korean won) to Turkey in the first phase, and the European Union (EU) saw support participation from more than 12 member countries. Japan also decided to dispatch a rescue team of 75 members to Turkey.
Ukraine, which is at war, decided to send a rescue team of 87 members, and Russia is also preparing to dispatch a team. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that 65 countries worldwide have expressed their willingness to provide support.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at 4:17 a.m. on the 6th, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred inland at a depth of 17.9 km, about 33 km from the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep. Later, at around 1:24 p.m., another strong earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck the central Turkish region of Kahramanmara?, followed by nearly 450 aftershocks continuing to shake the area.
The Turkish stock market and the lira showed weakness following the earthquake news. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the same day, the Istanbul Stock Exchange’s BIST 100 index closed at 4,505.34, down 8.62% from the previous day. The BIST 100 index tracks the top 100 stocks listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. Turkey’s 10-year government bond yield rose by 0.66 percentage points to 11.43%, indicating a drop in bond prices. The Turkish lira’s value fell to 18.85 during the previous day’s trading but slightly rebounded to 18.83 on the same day, showing a limited decline.
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