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