Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces hit by devastating earthquakes and several aftershocks that have killed thousands of people and turned buildings to rubble across southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.
“We have decided to declare a state of emergency to ensure that our [rescue and recoverywork can be carried out quickly,” Erdogan said in televised remarks on Tuesday, a day after a first 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in southern Turkey.
The tremor was followed by dozens of powerful aftershocks, including another magnitude 7.6 quake.
In his speech, Erdogan stated that 70 countries had offered assistance in search and rescue operations, and that Turkey planned to open hotels in the western tourism hub of Antalya to temporarily house people affected by the earthquakes.
He stated that 3,549 people had died in Turkey, bringing the total number of fatalities including those in northern Syria to more than 5,000.
Erdogan made his remarks as frantic search and rescue efforts continued for a second day in a row in subzero temperatures.
Nations and aid organizations have hurried to send out personnel and provide humanitarian aid.
But more bad weather is expected to hit the region, further hampering rescue operations. Downed buildings and destroyed roads have also made it difficult to find survivors and get crucial aid into affected areas. Several airports have also been closed after being damaged by the earthquakes.
Source: Aljazeera News