Turkey-Syria earthquake: Death toll rises, governments evacuate their citizens

By Bahle Gama

It has been six days since an earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria and the death toll continues to rise.

On February 6, the earthquake reportedly occurred 34 km west of the city of Gaziantep at 04:17 TRT with a magnitude of at least 7.8 Mw and a maximum Marcalli intensity of XI. There was widespread damage and thousands of fatalities.

The death toll has reportedly reached over 28 000, non-fatal injuries at over 85 000, 1.3 million people displaced, 24 million affected, and 6 589 buildings destroyed.

The area experienced more than 2,000 aftershocks between Monday and Saturday, according to Turkey’s AFAD disaster authority. The two countries have been receiving aid from different countries around the world, as more bodies continue to be pulled from the rubble.

However, some countries have been making means to evacuate their citizens from these countries, including Eswatini which evacuated four of its citizens who were studying in Turkey.

The Communications Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Skhumbuzo Bhembe confirmed that four students had been rescued from Turkey however he could not give any further details on the matter.

“The status quo remains as the Minister indicated that four of our students have been moved to a place of safety. We shall give updates from time to time,” said Bhembe.