The Turkey-Syria Earthquake Death Toll Has Surpassed 33,000
More than 33,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria since a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck on February 6, 2023.
The death toll in Turkey has climbed to 29,605, Turkish Emergency Coordination Center SAKOM said Sunday. In Syria, the total number of deaths stands at 3,576, according to a CNN report.
The Turkey-Syria earthquake is one of the deadliest to occur in recent history, prompting international teams of rescuers to aid the two countries.
The Philippines was one of the first countries to respond to the call for aid in Turkey and Syria, and immediately promised to send an 85-man rescue team to the two countries.
"We organized a group of about 85 personnel together with some goods; ang hinahanap sa atin mga blanket, mga winter clothing (they are in need of blanket and winter clothing)," said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on February 8, a day after the earthquake.
The Philippine rescue team arrived in Turkey on February 11 where the 82-man Filipino team is currently helping in search and rescue operations.
Montage of the Damaged Sites in Syria and Turkey
An Image Showing Where the Earthquake Was Most Felt
Politics Set Aside as Rival Countries Send Help Too
The massive death toll and widespread destruction in Turkey and Syria has prompted rival countries such as Israel to set aside longstanding feuds with its neighbors and send help.
Israel and Syria have a very long history of war, but the former sends teams of rescuers to Syria and Turkey upon the request of the two countries.
"President Netanyahu said that Israel had received requests through diplomatic channels to assist in Syria, and that aid would be provided there," The Times of Israel reported.
“A request was also received to [provide relief] for the many who were injured in the earthquake in Syria,” Netanyahu said.
The request came via Russia, Israeli sources told The Times of Israel.
Israel is sending tents and medical supplies to Syria.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces deployed a large team of approximately 500 search and rescue professionals to assist Turkey.
The Times of Israel also notes how relations between Israel and Turkey remain strained, but that did not prevent the two countries from cooperating during this disaster.
"In 2020, when neither country had ambassadors in the other’s capital, Israel offered to send aid to Turkey following a deadly earthquake in the country, although Ankara did not accept the assistance. Relations between the two countries have since improved and ambassadors were returned, and Monday’s earthquake appears much more severe," wrote The Times of Israel.
