UPDATE - Over 6,200 killed as powerful earthquakes hit southern Türkiye

UPDATES WITH MORE INFO FROM DISASTER AGENCY

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) – At least 6,234 people were killed and 37,011 others injured after two strong earthquakes on Monday jolted southern Türkiye, the country's disaster agency said on Wednesday.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, struck 10 provinces and affected more than 13 million people.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours.

More than 79,100 search and rescue teams are currently conducting operations in the field, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said in a statement.

"As a result of the negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,309 personnel coming from other countries to help were dispatched to the disaster area," it added.

Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams were also sent to the affected areas.

It added a total of 50,818 family life tents were set up for the shelter of survivors.

A total of 5,402 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and dozers, were sent to the disaster area, the disaster agency said.

For search and rescue operations to be carried out rapidly, Türkiye on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for three months in 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

"We are facing one of the biggest disasters not only of the history of the Turkish Republic but also of our geography and the world," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Türkiye is observing a seven-day national mourning after the devastating quakes.

All national sports events in the country have been suspended until further notice. Schools nationwide will be closed until Feb. 13, and education in the 10 affected provinces are suspended until Feb. 20.

After the quakes, condolences poured in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.

- Türkiye sets up air corridor

After the initial earthquake, an air aid corridor was created by the Turkish Armed Forces to deliver search and rescue teams to the region.

A high number of transport aircraft, including A-400Ms, dispatched search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes are also using the air aid corridor.

Personnel and materials were dispatched to the region from Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir with 104 aircraft, AFAD said.

A total of 10 ships were also assigned to the region for personnel and material shipment, and for evacuation.