ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited areas of southeast Turkey on Saturday hit by Friday night’s powerful earthquake, which killed at least 22 people and injured hundreds more. He denied accusations that rescuers had been slow to respond.
Taking part in a burial procession for those killed in the southeastern Kurdish province of Elazig, Erdogan pledged his government would repair damaged buildings and provide aid to affected communities.
Around 2,000 search and rescue personnel have been sent to the quake-hit area since Friday night, the Turkish presidency said, and thousands of beds, blankets, and tents have been provided.
“I believe these brothers and sisters who passed away will be bestowed with heaven by God,” said Erdogan, who acted as pallbearer for one of the coffins.
“While we are engaged in all search and rescue activities, we are also in the villages, neighborhoods, and will reconstruct the buildings... and do what is necessary,” he said.
Erdogan said the death toll now stand at 22.
“I wish God will have them rest in peace,” he added.
Interior Minister Suleyman Solu earlier confirmed the death toll. Eighteen of the dead are from Elazig and four are from neighboring Malatya province, he said.
The quake’s epicenter struck near the town of Sivrice, home to 4,000 residents, on the shores of Lake Hazar. Situated 750 kilometers east of the capital Ankara, it is one of Turkey’s top tourist destinations.
Soylu said 39 people have been rescued from collapsed buildings in Elazig province. A further 22 are thought to remain trapped under the rubble, according to AFP.
Tremors were felt nationwide and across the Caucasus, Syria, Iran, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Friday night.
Turkey is no stranger to earthquakes. In 2011, a 7.1 magnitude quake struck Van in the mountainous Kurdish-majority southeast, killing 600 and leaving more than 4,000 injured.
‘Do not pay attention to gossip’
Erdogan called those attending Saturday’s funerals “not to pay attention to gossip, do not listen to negative propaganda, [or the] personal interests of some” who had accused emergency responders of negligence.
And according to the AFP, Ankara’s public prosecutor has launched an investigation into “provocative” social media posts about the response, but did not provide details.
One survivor told AFP the government is lying about the true death toll and the number of those still trapped beneath the rubble.
“They claim that only four people are trapped under the rubble. It is not true. I have five relatives in that building,” Suat, a 45-year-old butcher, told AFP. “There are four floors and three flats per floor. If there were five people per flat, do the math. Why are they lying?”
Barzani sends condolences
Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and former president of the Kurdistan Region, described the earthquake as “heartbreaking” while extending his “sincere condolences” to the families affected.
“Very unfortunately, a number of people died and a huge number wounded as a result of an earthquake which hit the North Kurdistan and the Kurdish inhabited areas of Turkey,” his office said in a statement.
“We extend sincere condolences and share in our deep sorrows with the families of this heartbreaking incident, wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded,” Barzani added.
“I hope necessary assistance will be sent to those affected by this incident as soon as possible,” he added.
