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Images of collapsed buildings in Izmir PHOTOS: Reuters
786 were injured in Turkey
Two teenagers have died on the island of Samos
Izmir Mayor urges city residents not to use their cars to clear roads for ambulances
Twenty people died today in Turkey and two children lost their lives in Greece in today’s powerful 6.7 earthquake, recorded near the Greek island of Samos, Turkish and Greek media reported.
The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey’s Izmir district reached 20, with 786 injured, Turkey’s Directorate for Emergency and Disaster Management (AFAD) was quoted as saying by NTV.
Data on the number of deaths and injuries in Turkey continues to rise.
Two students were killed in the earthquake on the Greek island of Samos and at least eight were injured, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported.
The young people died when a wall of their school collapsed. The victims are 15 and 17 years old, according to Greek state television ERT.
Earlier today, the mayor of the Turkish Aegean city of Izmir, Tunç Sawyer, announced that signals had been received from more than 20 collapsed buildings in the area. Izmir Yavuz Governor Selim Koesger has announced that around 70 people have been rescued so far. He noted that there were no collapsed buildings that rescuers had no access to, reports CNN-Turk.
Rescue teams continue to search for people buried in the rubble of collapsed buildings. AFAD teams have finished searching for people in 4 buildings and rescue operations are currently being carried out on another 13 collapsed buildings.
Meanwhile, Izmir Mayor Tunc Sawyer urged city residents not to use their personal cars for travel so that ambulances can safely use the roads to transport victims.
My biggest request to citizens is: “Don’t use your personal cars,” Sawyer said.
The Red Crescent teams provide all kinds of assistance to the people of Izmir, including psychological support. Many citizens are urged not to return to their homes due to the risk of more buildings collapsing, as well as the risk of gas leaks. A large number of tents, blankets, mobile kitchens, as well as masks and disinfectants are provided for people, reports CNN-Turk.
The 6.7 earthquake was followed by 244 aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 5.1, reports NTV.
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