• Earthquake in Turkey: over 20 dead, new shock today
  • 6.8 earthquake in Turkey: 14 dead, buildings destroyed

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January 26, 2020

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit the Turkish eastern province of Elazig rose to 31 dead and 1,607 injured. The civil protection of Ankara (Afad) reports it, while the rescuers continue to dig among the rubble in search of any survivors. So far 45 have been saved.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in Sivrice, a small tourist village on the shores of Lake Hazar, source of the Tigris river. But the earthquake was felt hundreds of kilometers away, causing death and destruction also in the nearby province of Malatya, where 4 of the victims are registered. Eighty buildings collapsed, while 645 are damaged. Last night a new 5.1 magnitude shock rocked the area, causing further panic.

45 live extracts, even two children
45 people are extracted alive from the rubble. According to CNN Turk, there are at least two children and six adults among the people rescued in the city of Elazig. According to Trt, a six-month pregnant woman was rescued yesterday morning.

Rescuers are using dog units and sensors to speed up operations. Afad and the Turkish Red Crescent have sent rescue and aid teams, including food and blankets, to areas affected by the earthquake. Defense Ministry helicopters contribute to operations together with the Army military. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured that every effort will be made to help the people involved: "We are next to our people," he wrote on Twitter.

Friday's earthquake, of magnitude 6.8, was felt at 20.55 local time, at a depth of 6.7 kilometers. The first shock was followed by numerous other aftershocks. Elazig is located about 750 kilometers east of the capital, Ankara.

Mattarella's message to Erdogan: "Italy close to the Turkish people"
"I learned with deep sadness about the enormous damage caused yesterday by the earthquake in the provinces of Elazig and Malatya which caused numerous victims and injured and caused enormous damage to your country. In this dramatic situation, the Italians shake with emotional proximity to their friend Turkish and, in particular, to the inhabitants of the hardest hit areas ". The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, writes this in a message sent to Erdogan. "With these sentiments - adds the Head of State - I offer you, Mr. President, and the families of the victims - on behalf of the Italian people and my personal - sentiments of deep condolence, together with the warmest wishes for a prompt and complete recovery for the numerous wounded ".