ISTANBUL: The terrible earthquake that doomed Turkey and Syria has now surpassed over 5000 deaths. The death numbers are expected to rise. More than 15,000 are injured as per the latest reports. The 7.8 magnitude quakes heaved destruction in both Turkey and Syria with thousands and more people going homeless. The incident happened yesterday at 6:47 am IST. People in these countries were still in their sleep when the calamity came uninvited. In just two hours’ time, 40 quakes were reported. The first responders battled rain and snow, survivors cried out for aid from within mountains of wreckage. Seismic activity in the area persisted, with another shock nearly as intense as the first. As frantic relatives awaited news of loved ones, workers gently removed slabs of concrete and groped for bodies.

Turkey’s interior minister Süleyman Soylu said the epicenter of the quake happened in Kahramanmaraş province in central Türkiye. In the calamity, the runway of Turkey’s airport split into two. The video went viral on social media.

The only runway at Hatay Airport in southern Turkey tore open during the earthquake#Turkey #earthquake #TurkeyEarthquake #TurkeyQuake pic.twitter.com/yvbclTrhqX

— Amitabh Chaudhary (@main_amitabh_) February 6, 2023