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)
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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.



Woman Dies After Blast Near Bank in Greece

Forensic experts examine the area of a bomb explosion outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki, Greece, 03 May 2025. EPA/ACHILLEAS CHIRAS
Forensic experts examine the area of a bomb explosion outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki, Greece, 03 May 2025. EPA/ACHILLEAS CHIRAS
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Woman Dies After Blast Near Bank in Greece

Forensic experts examine the area of a bomb explosion outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki, Greece, 03 May 2025. EPA/ACHILLEAS CHIRAS
Forensic experts examine the area of a bomb explosion outside a bank branch in Thessaloniki, Greece, 03 May 2025. EPA/ACHILLEAS CHIRAS

A woman died early Saturday after an explosion next to bank in the northern greek city of Thessaloniki, the police said.

The 38-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her wounds as her hand was mutilated during the blast, AFP reported.

Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou said that investigators are working to determine whether the woman was carrying the device that exploded, "a possible scenario".

She told Skai TV that the woman was known to the police, including for her involvement in robberies.

According to police sources, investigators suspect the device may have exploded in her hands before she could place it at a bank ATM.

Greece's Organized Crime Directorate has taken over the investigation, while the surrounding area remains cordoned off.