Reactions are pouring in following the devastating 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday morning.
There are no estimates available yet as to the number of structures either collapsed or damaged across the region, but a minimum of 3,400 lives have been lost as a result of the quake and a wave of very powerful aftershocks as concerns grow about both governments' ability to organize civil response efforts in the most impacted regions.
Building collapses have been reported in almost every community near the epicenter. Infrastructure damage appears to be significant as well.
Seismologists say the tremors that rocked Turkey and Syria are likely to be some of the deadliest this decade. Here is what scientists say happened beneath the earth's surface and what to expect in the aftermath https://t.co/vf37HkXHxQ pic.twitter.com/Tu3Kl76wxG
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 6, 2023
Turkey’s largest professional organization for architects and engineers, Türk Mühendis ve Mimar Odaları Birliği (TMMOB), has issued a statement in response to events.
“In the earthquake of 7.7 magnitude, which took place on February 6, 2023 and the epicenter was determined as the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, a great destruction was experienced in a very wide region, especially in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, Malatya, Osmaniye and Diyarbakır,” their statement reads (Google translation from the original Turkish text). “We wish patience to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the earthquake, which is one of the biggest disasters in recent years in terms of both its prevalence and consequences, healing to the injured and our condolences to our entire country. We hope that our citizens waiting for help under the rubble will be rescued as soon as possible.”
2,200 years old Gazintap Castle destroyed by the earthquake in Turkey.
Before vs Now. pic.twitter.com/vAtIWhmlsA
— Xavi Ruiz (@xruiztru) February 6, 2023
One prominent victim of the more than 3,000 structures that were reported to have been lost is the 3rd-century Gaziantep Castle in Turkey's southern Anatolia region. Photos and videos online appear to show the castle almost completely razed, along with the historic 17th-century Şirvani Mosque next door.
Dear friends, ETH wallet to support people in earthquake region. This funds will help so much for people under massive challenges in the most cold days. Hope we can gather together a strong support in web3 community! Thank you! 0xEd67922e36eD2422d391306f6f6ECC19d58EAa4f
— Refik Anadol (@refikanadol) February 6, 2023
Istanbul, which is about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) northwest of the epicenter, appears to have sustained very little damage. Historic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and others in the region are reportedly okay as the earthquake appears to have had a limited effect on the western side of Turkey.
The New York Times has live updates on the situation here.
This NGO is a good place to donate their mission is search and rescue. Well-trained teams of experts with the know-how who have done excellent work in various disasters around the globe.
https://www.akut.org.tr/en
You also can call/write the Turkish Embassy Twitter account to find out the ways you can help/donate. If you are an institution this is a good place to ask for assistance with your donations.
Embassy
Address:
2525 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008
E-mail:
embassy.washingtondc@mfa.gov.tr
Telephone:
1 202 612 67 00
1 202 612 67 01
It is such a devastating and unusual series of earthquakes that destroyed ten large urban centers and countless towns and villages with substandard or shadily built multi-story apartments. Mainly residential buildings with people sleeping in them in the thick of snow weather.
The gov says each time after a disaster that they will reshape the construction industry codes and regulations, I think this time they will. They will have to build most of these cities over.
This is the Anatolian life over thousands of years. You have cities built over the rubble of the previous one, sometimes 3-4 layers. For ages, Eurasian and African plates are pushing each other, slipping under and over, killing people and other living things, and pulverizing their cities.
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This NGO is a good place to donate their mission is search and rescue. Well-trained teams of experts with the know-how who have done excellent work in various disasters around the globe.
https://www.akut.org.tr/en
You also can call/write the Turkish Embassy Twitter account to find out the ways you can help/donate. If you are an institution this is a good place to ask for assistance with your donations.
Embassy
Address:
2525 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008
E-mail:
embassy.washingtondc@mfa.gov.tr
Telephone:
1 202 612 67 00
1 202 612 67 01
It is such a devastating and unusual series of earthquakes that destroyed ten large urban centers and countless towns and villages with substandard or shadily built multi-story apartments. Mainly residential buildings with people sleeping in them in the thick of snow weather.
The gov says each time after a disaster that they will reshape the construction industry codes and regulations, I think this time they will. They will have to build most of these cities over.
This is the Anatolian life over thousands of years. You have cities built over the rubble of the previous one, sometimes 3-4 layers. For ages, Eurasian and African plates are pushing each other, slipping under and over, killing people and other living things, and pulverizing their cities.
When I was in Istanbul it was so beautiful and peaceful. I am thankful that this terrible earthquake happened miles away from Istanbul; but I am so very sad for the devasted areas and in this hard winter weather. Most heart wrenching was to see the devastation of residential apartment buildings and the suffering of the people. It seems that TMMOB should bear a huge responsibility for lagging behind on the implementation of building codes and regulations. They are the practicing professionals in the country. The 7.7 earthquakes were too powerful, All the same the collapsing buildings did not hold up long enough for most of the people to getaway to safety. Türkiye should coordinate with Japan to learn about Japanese experiences and their methods of mitigation and survival during earthquakes.
My heartfelt condolences to the people of Türkiye. Donating to the NGO mentioned in Orhan Ayyuce's post is the best way that I can offer my help.
Times like these is when you realize we have a lot more in common than things which set us appart. god bless Turkey and Syria.
Dear Archinect friends,
Thank you for your direct messages and respond to my posts about the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Those of you who wanted to help/donate to people in dire situations are wonderful human beings. This is a time to care for others less fortunate than us.
I have a favor to ask. Please direct some of your donations to Syrian people who are stuck between wars and displacement. Yes, Turkey has unimaginable damage in greater proportion but Syrians have fewer resources and so far the help is trickling into them while pouring for Turkish victims.
Please consider my message and donate a portion of your contribution to the Syrian people. Here is a link to Syrian American Medical Society.
Thank you.
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