As of Monday afternoon (6), more than 2,000 people have died and thousands have been injured after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Turkey and Syria on Monday morning local time. Authorities continue to update the death toll as rescue efforts persist. It is estimated that there are over 5,000 injured.
The earthquake, one of the strongest to hit the region in over 100 years, occurred 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey.
Several strong aftershocks were felt throughout the region for hours after the initial quake, including a magnitude 7.5 earthquake.Brazil Offers Assistance
The Turkish disaster agency has requested help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing solidarity and condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria, and to the victims of the seismic shocks.
The Itamaraty reported that “The Brazilian government is making arrangements to provide humanitarian assistance to the populations affected by the earthquake,” the statement says.
According to the ministry, there are currently no reports of Brazilians killed or injured.