Devastating quake

The death toll from Monday’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has crossed 5,000, with almost 3,500 of those casualties in Turkey. The 7.8 magnitude quake is one of the strongest ever in Turkey, and the deadliest since 1999. The death and damage toll is expected to rise sharply, with several estimates running over 10,000 fatalities, and comparisons are being drawn to the 1999 Izmit earthquake, which killed over 18,000 people.

Powerful aftershocks — one measuring 6.7 — caused further suffering and hampered recovery efforts, which were already delayed by snow. Tremors from the two biggest aftershocks were detected as far away as Denmark and Greenland. The second earthquake came about nine hours later and measured 7.7. Casualties were recorded in at least 10 Turkish provinces, with one early estimate saying over 6,200 buildings, including a shopping mall, collapsed, while several heritage sites, such as the Roman-era Gaziantep Castle, were severely damaged. In Syria, the Citadel of Aleppo was among the historical buildings that was noticeably damaged.

Meanwhile, the Syrian civil war has compounded relief efforts in that country. Several villages reported civilians stuck for hours because of a lack of rescue teams or proper tools. Several countries have already begun sending help, and many others volunteering with what they can. Even Pakistan, despite dire economic straits, is mobilising resources, including winter tents, blankets and other life-saving supplies from our own stocks. Search-and-rescue teams are also reportedly being offered.

But less media attention has been paid to the suffering in Syria. Although Turkey saw the worst initial damage, over four million Syrian refugees who were already on the brink of a catastrophe were affected by the quake. Hospitals and temporary medical facilities were also damaged or decommissioned by the quake. The world must act fast if we are to keep the precarious situation in Syria and Turkey from falling apart.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2023.

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