At least 21 dead in the earthquake in Turkey: "God help us"

Emergency forces in Elsig County in the east of the state that previously known severe earthquakes continue to search for dozens of missing persons. The Turkish military is providing food and hot equipment to the many homeless residents, and Erdogan is watching closely. "We lit a fire to survive the night," said one survivor

At least 21 dead in the earthquake in Turkey: "God help us"

At least 21 people were killed in the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey last Friday. In cities near the center of the quake, buildings collapsed, and in many countries near Turkey, including Israel, the magnitude of the earthquake was felt. The tremor felt in the Alzig district was at a magnitude of 6.8, followed by about 270 sub-tremors in the district, located about 500 kilometers from the capital Ankara.

17 people were killed in Elsig province and four others in nearby Malatya province. The Turkish Emergency Authority said 1,030 others were injured and were evacuated to hospitals in the area. It was also reported that rescue efforts are continuing at three major centers in Elsig County.

Turkey earthquake: at least 20 dead; The noise was also felt in Israel

1,030 were injured and evacuated to area hospitals. Rescue forces in Turkey today (Photo: Reuters)

21 earthquake fatalities in eastern Turkey (Photo: Reuters)

Pictures released from the rescue efforts in Turkey look like rescue forces like trapped rescuers who stayed about 12 hours under the rubble. The forces were able to rescue a woman trapped in the wreckage for more than 13 hours, and said they were searching for more than 30 missing persons. The state television network in Turkey featured the work of dozens of rescue and aid workers who dug with shovels and engineering equipment in the ruins of a building that collapsed in Alsig province. The crews worked through the night with their hands to clear the debris as temperatures in the area plummeted to eight degrees below zero.

"Our homes have been demolished, we cannot enter," said a Siberian city 32. A few people were killed in our village. I hope God will help us. "He said," Our animals have died.

"We can't go in." Man basking in a bonfire next to his demolished home in eastern Turkey this morning (Photo: Reuters)

21 earthquake fatalities in eastern Turkey (Photo: Reuters)

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries Syria, Iran, Lebanon and so in Israel. Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soilu said the country's emergency authorities had fully mobilized to deal with earthquake damage, but added that his country would not need international assistance at this time. Soilou said Turkey has learned from past shocks and trained emergency teams to assist in these cases.

Emergency authorities have warned residents of returning to homes damaged by the earthquake for fear of collapse. The Turkish army enlisted to help transport food, equipment and medicines to the damaged areas. "I hope that God will have mercy on our brothers who are killed and send whole medicine to all the wounded," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Turkey previously knew of significant earthquakes, with the strongest occurrence in 1999, when 17,000 people were killed in a magnitude 7.6 earthquake and about half a million lost their homes. In 2011, 532 people were killed in an earthquake that hit the northern state.

Ruined building in Alsig province, today (Photo: Reuters)

21 earthquake fatalities in eastern Turkey (Photo: Reuters)