King Charles meets with Turkish diaspora in London to support quake survivors

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - King Charles on Tuesday met in London with members of the Turkish and Syrian diaspora communities to show solidarity with the mass of people affected by two powerful earthquakes which hit last week.

In West London, Charles spoke with volunteers who have been collecting, packaging, and organizing the transportation of food, blankets, and warm clothing for the quake survivors, according to a statement by the royal family.

"Later, in Trafalgar Square, the King formally launched Syria's House, a temporary Syrian community tent where members of the Syrian community can come together to support those affected by the earthquakes," it added.

The tent will be open until this Friday to raise donations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also met with volunteers at a donation center in London for the survivors of the powerful earthquakes that hit both Türkiye and Syria.

Sunak spoke with students from University College London and helped them pack items at the center, as well as donating hats, scarves, and blankets.

Citing photos of the destruction the quakes left in their wake, he said, "I think those are images that will stay with all of us for a long time," adding that is why it is vital to support Türkiye at this time.

“We're going to continue providing all the support that we can,” he said.

On Feb. 6, the earthquakes struck southern Türkiye, centered in Kahramanmaras and shaking nine other provinces – Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

The magnitude 7.6 and 7.7 tremors also hit several countries and caused destruction in northern Syria.

More than 35,400 people were killed in Türkiye, according to the latest official figures.