‘Huge human catastrophe,’ says EU envoy to Türkiye about last week’s twin earthquakes

By Rabia Ali

ANKARA (AA) - Terming the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes in Türkiye a "huge human catastrophe," the EU envoy to Ankara on Tuesday expressed condolences on behalf of European member states, citizens and institutions.

“I was in Hatay, Antakya, it is unimaginable what has happened, to the city but not only to this city,” Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, head of the EU delegation in Türkiye, told a press conference in Ankara.

He said European rescue teams had mobilized very early on the request by Turkish authorities.

“More than 1,650 people were involved in this rescue operations and since we have continued our support in the next phases in the catastrophe,” Meyer-Landrut added.

The official said the rescue phase "unfortunately" had come to an end, and now medical assistance and shelters were the focus.

He said 50,000 winter tents, 100,000 blankets, and 50,000 heaters were provided by 12 EU states, adding that members were also setting up field hospitals.

Over 31,000 have died in the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes that struck 10 Turkish provinces last week, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Countries including Syria and Lebanon also felt the strong tremors.