Sun 01 October 2020:
Turkey’s death toll from an earthquake rose Sunday to 44, according to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
The agency said as of 8.15 a.m. local time (0510GMT) Sunday, there have been 833 aftershocks, with 40 more powerful than magnitude-4.0.
Search and rescue activities continue in the coastal Aegean province of Izmir after the magnitude-6.6 quake jolted the region Friday, leaving at least 896 people wounded.
A total of 667 victims have been discharged from hospitals, while 229 are still under treatment.
New homes ‘soon as possible’
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that new homes will be built ‘soon as possible’ for those whose houses were destroyed in an earthquake in Izmir.
He conveyed condolences to victims of the magnitude-6.6 earthquake in the Aegean province while attending the ordinary Congress of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in eastern Turkey.
Erdogan said at the moment of the quake Friday, all ministers, parliament members, institutions, Turkish Red Crescent, Disaster and the Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) ran to rescue Izmir with all means.
He said Turkey is under a dangerous earthquake zone from the easternmost to the westernmost.
Erdogan emphasized the government is keeping the economy alive against troubles caused by the coronavirus pandemic and attacks of others.
He said 40 billion lira cash support would be given to citizens in need and that the government implemented unprecedented credit and tax incentives to continue production, keep artisans and craftsmen alive and improve exports.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan visits a site of a collapsed building after an earthquake | Photograph: PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
