Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca made a statement at the Disaster Coordination Center in Hatay, where search and rescue efforts continue after 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes affecting 10 provinces.
Stating that after the two major earthquakes centered in Pazarcık and Elbistan, a total of 147 aftershocks, 3 of which were of magnitude 6 and above, occurred in the surrounding regions, Minister Koca said, “Although the earthquake was felt in the whole region, it caused serious damage in 10 provinces, especially in Hatay. So far, 1651 citizens have lost their lives, and there are 11 thousand 119 injured. We are deeply saddened. May God be merciful to all our citizens who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. Condolences to our nation.”
Noting that there occured serious damage to the Hatay Training and Research Hospital, Dr. Koca also stated that the old building of Iskenderun State Hospital, Block A, collapsed in the earthquake, and that the rescue efforts of the patients and employees under the rubble are continuing.
Minister Koca stated that the injured in these two hospitals were transferred to the city hospitals in Mersin and Adana.
“Our airplane ambulances and land ambulances have started to transport patients. In our hospitals, all of our health workers are on duty, treating the injured. Due to the weather conditions and the size of the area affected by the earthquake, the teams can hardly reach the field. Our helicopters could not take off today due to bad weather conditions. We have mobilized our teams despite all the difficulties. AFAD, UMKE, 112 Emergency, Armed Forces, gendarmerie, law enforcement, municipal teams, NGOs are working in the field to meet the needs of search and rescue and earthquake victims. We also sent our teams from the surrounding provinces to the region,” explained Dr. Koca.
2 thousand 256 emergency medical personnel reached the affected provinces”
Dr. Koca noted that in addition to the teams and ambulances in 10 provinces affected by the disaster, 602 ambulances, 187 UMKE teams and 2 ambulance planes from outside the province reached the affected provinces with a total of 2,256 emergency medical personnel.
Minister Koca added, “The state is in the region to heal its wounds with all its means. We ask for prayers from all our citizens. These disasters can only be overcome by solidarity. We know that there is a state of mobilization in the country. Participating in coordination through disaster coordination centers in the provinces is extremely important. We will heal our wounds together.”
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