Earthquake – Izmir: Battle with Time in Ruins – Tragic tale grows constantly

10/31/2020 Business, Greece, World



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Horrible memories awoke Smyrna after the deadly 6.7 earthquake that occurred outside of Samos, on Friday afternoon, and so far it has cost the lives of 20 people, while the injured exceed 700, according to the latest official report.

As the hours pass, these numbers increase, while it is feared that they could reach high levels as dozens of city residents in the “paper” apartment buildings remain trapped.

Also read: Why did Samos endure and Smyrna collapse?

Rescue teams struggle from time to time to find those trapped under the ruins of demolished buildings, and the night is expected to be particularly critical and difficult. More than 3,000 rescuers have rushed to the affected areas, as well as ordinary people, who are making a great effort.

Turkey’s Emergency and Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) has confirmed that a total of 786 injured have been treated in Smyrna hospitals, of which more than ten are being treated in Intensive Care Units (ICU). At the same time, at least 17 buildings collapsed or were seriously damaged by the strong vibration.

The strong blow of Egelados

Immediately after the Egelados impact, a few minutes before 2 p.m., a mini tsunami appeared in Izmir, causing further damage to the city’s waterfront, at a depth of at least 50 meters from the shores.

The apartment buildings began to collapse like a tower of cards, while the sound was deafening. Some passed with their cars and did not believe what they saw with their own eyes.

Clouds of dust from the collapsed buildings covered the city and people ran in panic through the streets.

A few minutes later, realizing what happened, the scream of the people becomes the sound of the city. They run and beg those who have stayed in their homes to get off the road, while the difficult task of rescuers immediately begins, rushing towards the places where buildings have collapsed, the next critical hours being.

Residents say many neighborhoods are running out of water as business owners try to remove debris and water from the tsunami.

At least 170 aftershocks

As of noon on Friday, the Emergency and Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) said that at least 170 aftershocks, 21 of them more than 4 on the Richter scale, had been recorded after the main earthquake.

At the same time, the authorities have set up tents with a total capacity of 2,000 people in the areas where the greatest damage has been recorded, since for fear of strong earthquakes, many will not return home at night.

Shocking testimonials

“Everyone is calm but shocked and we wonder what will happen if a second tsunami occurs or not,” Idil Gungor, a journalist, told CNN.

Zeki Soysal, also a resident of Izmir province, told CNN Turk that he arrived at his office shortly after the collapse. “There was an old woman in the building, but we saved her, she left. There is another building near this building. “They keep trying to get people out,” he said.

“It was a very strong vibration.” I ran out of the house with my kids, “said Chris Bedford, a retired British teacher who lives in Urla, west of Izmir.

Yasar Keles, for his part, told BBC Turkish that a man had died after being hit by a wheelchair, which was overturned by the water.

At the same time, Turkish media published videos of queues of patients in wheelchairs and stretchers who remained outside hospitals, waiting to be transported to safer places.

Dramatic hours for the Greeks of Smyrna

Greek residents of Smyrna spoke to MEGA about the seconds of the catastrophic earthquake.

There are 200 Greeks living in the city, but no one has been injured. But the rubble is everywhere. Bornova, Kordelio and Bairakli have suffered enormous damage.

Some of the Greeks in Smyrna found refuge in the Holy Temple of Agia Fotini, which suffered minor damage.

“We are in Agia Fotini in the church, fortunately we have no damage to the church. “I don’t know if I will dare enter the house tonight,” said Theodora Hatzoudi, a Smyrna resident.

Even 2 hours later, earthquakes of magnitude 4 and 4.5 Richter shook the area. Greek-speaking journalist Suleiman Gencel fears the worst in terms of the death toll.

“It just came to our knowledge then. In my opinion because I have seen two videos of two apartment buildings falling down and I think there may be between 50 and 60 dead.” And we still don’t know how things can be in the towns, “he stressed.

Mrs. Athena Samoglou de Bournova, although she was in her garden at the time of the earthquake, confesses that for the first time in her life she felt such a strong vibration.

“It just came to our notice then. About 13-15 seconds it didn’t stop and it was very strong. We were scared, what can I tell you? I have never felt such an earthquake in my life. Many buildings, houses and apartment buildings have collapsed in Bairakli. They have great damage, “he added, speaking to MEGA.

Earthquake diplomacy

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the strong earthquake.

As revealed through a message on Twitter, Mr. Mitsotakis called the Turkish president to express his condolences for the loss of life caused by the strong earthquake that hit Samos and the Turkish coast.

“I called President Erdogan to express my condolences for the tragic loss of life caused by the earthquake that struck our two countries.” Despite our differences, these are times when our citizens must be united, “he said.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “Thank you Prime Minister. I offer my condolences to Greece on my behalf and on behalf of the Turkish people. Turkey is also always ready to help Greece heal its wounds.” The fact that two neighbors show solidarity in difficult times is more valuable than many things in life. “

After the earthquake, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias got in touch with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Tsavousoglu. According to a Foreign Ministry post on Twitter, Dendias expressed the Greek government’s readiness to immediately dispatch EMAK forces to Turkey to help free the trapped citizens.

“Our thoughts at this time are on the residents of Samos and those helping to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake,” wrote Nikos Dendias on his personal account.

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