Turkey's President Erdogan has declared three-month state of emergency across areas hit by Monday's deadly earthquakes. Two extremely powerful quakes hit Turkey just nine hours apart. first quake was magnitude 7.5; second registered 7.8 on the Richter scale. They are among biggest earthquakes ever to hit Turkey. They caused huge loss of life and damage in southeast Turkey and in neighbouring Syria. President Erdogan warned of the danger of "large number of aftershocks". He said: "Our teams are working to reach disaster areas....We are rapidly continuing search and rescue operations...despite difficulty of the conditions and terrible weather."
The international community has promised support for Turkey and Syria. The EU has sent more than 1,150 rescue workers. Emergency medical teams will provide "essential health care for injured and most vulnerable people affected by earthquakes". Mexico has sent team of dogs and rescuers who are experts in locating survivors in rubble. U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened by loss of life and devastation caused by earthquakes". He promised to give "any help that is needed". Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "We mourn with victims and fear for those buried." Syria will also receive lot of help. It has already suffered for years from war.
