Fifth earthquake hits Turkey; death toll nears 5,000

Another powerful earthquake jolted Turkey on February 7, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The 5.4 magnitude quake hit the eastern part of the country that has already been devastated by dreadful earthquakes. The rescue and relief efforts are ongoing in Turkey and Syria, with the combined death toll now nearing 5,000.

Several countries have extended support to the earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria.

India has dispatched its NDRF team comprising of a search and rescue squad, dog squads, and medical supplies to earthquake-ravaged Turkey. Along with the NDRF team, India has also sent the first batch of the earthquake relief material to Turkey.

“The teams are sent to help in conducting the rescue and relief operations. About 101 NDRF personnel from two teams, one of the team Eight battalion of NDRF from Ghaziabad and the other from second battalion of NDRF from Kolkata will be going for this mission,” Mohsen Shahedi, DIG, Operation and Training NDRF, was quoted saying by news agency ANI.

The Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel thanked the Indian government’s offer of assistance and said that “a friend in need is indeed a friend”.

United States President Joe Biden also expressed condolences and offer assistance to the NATO ally. The US will send its search and rescue team to Turkey.

The European Union has mobilised search and rescue teams to help Turkey,

Russian rescue teams are preparing to fly to Syria.

A series of powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.8, 7.6 and 6 had devastated parts of Turkey and Syria since early Monday, February 6. The destructive tremors caused hundreds of buildings and homes to collapse, like a house of cards.

The death toll is expected to rise as hundreds of people are believed to be trapped under the rubble in Turkey and Syria. Rescue efforts are underway to save those trapped, as the strong earthquakes have brought down entire apartment buildings, damaged hospitals, and left thousands injured or homeless.