WORLD ‘POWERS’ RUSH TO HELP!

Istanbul: The most powerful earthquake to strike Turkey and Syria in nearly a century killed over 2,300 people on Monday, sparked frantic rescues and was felt as far away as Greenland.

The 7.8-magnitude early morning quake, followed by dozens of aftershocks and 2 more quakes, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions who have fled Syria's civil war and other conflicts.

Rescuers used heavy equipment and their bare hands to peel back rubble in search of survivors, who they could in some cases hear begging for help under the debris. At least 810 people died in rebel and government-controlled parts of Syria, state media and medical sources said, while Turkish officials reported another 1,498 fatalities.

The biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the centre. Monday’s first quake struck near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around 2 million people. — Raed Ahmed, Head Syria’s National Earthquake Centre

SEVERE WEATHER HAMPERS RESCUERS
The rescue was being hampered by a winter blizzard that covered major roads in ice and snow. Offi cials said the quake made three major airports in the area inoperable, further complicating deliveries of vital aid.

INDIA READY TO PROVIDE HELP TO EARTHQUAKEAFFECTED PEOPLE IN TURKEY, SAYS PM MODI
New Delhi: The PMO said on Monday that a meeting was held and it was decided that India would dispatch “search & rescue teams to Turkey. “2 teams of NDRF, comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment, are ready to be fl own. Medical teams are also being readied. Relief material will also be dispatched,” PMO said. PM Narendra Modi said, “India is ready to provide all possible help to the earthquakeaffected people in Turkey. We are all looking at the destructive earthquake that hit Turkey.”

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

• I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkey and provide any and all needed assistance: US President Joe Biden.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin sent messages to Syrian President Bashar alAssad conveying Russia’s condolences and offering aid to the quake-hit Turkey, Syria.
• President Emmanuel Macron said France stood ready to provide emergency aid and all possible assistance to Turkey and Syria.
• Ready to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the disaster in Turkey, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Ready to help provide urgent relief to the survivors through our fi eld teams wherever possible to Turky & Syria, says UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
• NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg voiced “full solidarity” with ally Turkey, saying “NATO allies are mobilising support now”.
• Iran is ready to provide immediate relief aid to these two friendly nations: Prez Raisi.
• European Union has mobilised search and rescue teams for Turkey after the stricken country requested EU assistance.
• Germany — home to about three million people of Turkish origin — will “mobilise all the assistance we can activate”: Min Nancy.