Turkey is reeling from a powerful earthquake that struck the eastern part of the country on Friday. The quake, which had a magnitude of 6.7, resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.
According to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), at least 35 people have died and over 1,000 have been injured. The earthquake struck near the city of Elazig, located in eastern Turkey, at 8:55 p.m. local time.
Rescue teams and volunteers have been working tirelessly to search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings. The quake caused widespread damage in the area, with dozens of buildings and homes collapsing. Power and communications have been disrupted in the aftermath of the quake, making the rescue efforts more challenging.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He also assured the public that the government is doing everything in its power to support the relief and rescue efforts.
This earthquake is the latest in a series of seismic events to hit the region in recent months. Eastern Turkey is located in a highly seismic zone, and earthquakes are a common occurrence in the area. In 2011, a magnitude-7.2 earthquake in the eastern city of Van killed over 600 people.
The tragedy has once again brought attention to the need for improved building standards and earthquake preparedness in the region. The Turkish government has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the earthquake and to take measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In the meantime, the rescue and relief efforts continue as search and rescue teams work to save as many lives as possible. The world stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey as they face this devastating event.