WHO's Tedros Pledges Support after First Visit to Türkiye's Quake Zone

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a media conference at an EU Africa summit in Brussels on Feb. 18, 2022. (AP)
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a media conference at an EU Africa summit in Brussels on Feb. 18, 2022. (AP)
TT

WHO's Tedros Pledges Support after First Visit to Türkiye's Quake Zone

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a media conference at an EU Africa summit in Brussels on Feb. 18, 2022. (AP)
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a media conference at an EU Africa summit in Brussels on Feb. 18, 2022. (AP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) will support Ankara in its response to massive earthquakes that killed more than 50,000, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday, as the death toll from the latest aftershock rose to two.

The massive earthquakes that struck Türkiye's southeast and neighboring Syria in the last three weeks have injured more than 108,000 in Türkiye, leaving millions sheltering in tents or seeking to move to other cities.

The latest substantial aftershock, with a magnitude of 5.6, hit on Monday, killing two and injuring 140 people, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said, adding that 32 people had been rescued from the rubble.

Türkiye is "doing its best" but still needs international support to help the victims of the earthquake, Tedros said, describing the destruction as "really massive" for modern history.

In a news conference alongside Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca in Antakya, one of the most affected cities, Tedros said the two had discussed the health situation in camps.

"These are like respiratory infections, GI infections, especially mental health problems - because many people are really traumatized - and people who need rehabilitation services, especially orthopedic service," he said.

"From WHO side, we will support in any way possible based on the issues observed or documented and based on the priorities of the ministry," Tedros added.

More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in Türkiye by the disaster, the worst in the country's modern history.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to rebuild homes within a year, but it will still be many months before thousands can leave tents or shipping containers and daily queues for food and move into permanent housing, key to gaining the sense of normalcy and safety they lost.

The earthquakes have struck months ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled to be held by June, which present the biggest political challenge to Erdogan in his two-decade rule.



Powerful Quake of 6.2 Magnitude Shakes Istanbul

Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
TT

Powerful Quake of 6.2 Magnitude Shakes Istanbul

Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul on Wednesday, Türkiye's AFAD disaster agency said, one of the strongest quakes to strike the city of 16 million in recent years.
There were no immediate reports of damage, but people evacuated buildings as the quake hit and shook the city, located on the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus strait.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 12:49 (0949 GMT) was in the area of Silivri, some 80 km (50 miles) to the west of Istanbul. It was at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles), Reuters quoted AFAD as saying.
Broadcaster TGRT reported that one person had been injured as a result of jumping off a balcony during the quake, which occurred during a public holiday in Türkiye.
AFAD warned people in the region against entering damaged buildings.
The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the earthquake had a magnitude 6.02. It was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) GFZ said.