A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco overnight, the death toll is now at 1,037, with more than 1,200 people injured.

The quake’s epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, and many of the victims are thought to be in remote villages nearby.

Many people are still on the streets, too afraid to go back into their homes for fear of more tremors.

Authorities have called on residents to donate blood as the hospitals have seen an influx of injured people.

Let’s pray for #Morocco #IREvROM #UKRENG #ESTSWE #IVOLESO #USOpen #CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/Y5TjYexwSG

— Dr. Sam (@echo_pee21) September 9, 2023

In Marrakesh some buildings have collapsed and the damage is severe in parts of the Medina, a Unesco World Heritage site.

World leaders including Britain’s Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden offered help to Morocco.

My Heart is with Morocco 😭

england Bellingham Paris fc Nebraska Jeff sims New mexico Morocco #Caturday Boulder #Huskers mekhi mews Cam martinez Mike bobo sam Hartman chase young Southgate Colorado -2.5 #Sidemencharity #Morocco #GotchaPopConcertpic.twitter.com/rJXFE5X9Fg

— Kijana ya 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒕 (@mulot_boy) September 9, 2023

MSF says it’s prepared to respond to Morocco earthquake

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) says it is prepared to respond to the earthquake in Morocco that killed more than 1,000 people and left many more injured.

Avril Benoît, executive director of MSF-USA, said in a statement on Saturday that people who live in the affected region are “key to the initial response” when searching for survivors.

“Earthquake survivors often require medical care such as surgery or dialysis, which can be a challenge when local health systems are affected by a disaster. Restoring health services and providing essential supplies also can be a priority at this stage. Our response will depend on the needs that are assessed on site,”..

Un pueblo entero arrasado por el #Terremoto que ha sacudido #Marruecos.#Marrakech #Morocco pic.twitter.com/oYArdP9OY3

— Ciudadano del mundo 🌍 (@ouassifziani) September 9, 2023

Historic Marrakesh buildings damaged in quake

The historic Moroccan city of Marrakesh suffered extensive damage in the powerful earthquake.

Marrakesh’s famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged as well, but the extent was not immediately clear, officials have said. Its 69-metre (226-foot) minaret is known as the “roof of Marrakesh”.

Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pray for #Morocco #moroccoearthquake 😢💔 pic.twitter.com/n6G20YQC4i

— coi (@KhanShahan14) September 9, 2023

Next 48-72 hours critical for search and rescue: Red Cross

Caroline Holt, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, said a massive aid effort will be needed following the “complicated” efforts to search and rescue survivors.

“Efforts will be complicated but these are the initial hours. This happened at night time when people were maybe sleeping in bed so only this morning did we start to see the impact of the earthquake unfold,” she told Al Jazeera.

“Right now and the next 48-72 hours will be critical in terms of life-saving search and rescue efforts in parallel with making sure that those that did survive are taken care of.”

World opinions + Agencies

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More than 45,000 people have been killed in the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, and the toll is expected to soar with some 264,000 apartments in Turkey destroyed and many still missing in the country’s worst modern disaster. 

Twelve days after the quake hit, three people, including a child, were rescued alive from the rubble of a building in Antakya city of southern Turkey on Saturday, state news agency Anadolu said.

A journalist for Turkish television channel NTV later reported that one of those found had died after being taken to hospital.

NTV broadcast images of rescuers placing the rescued people onto stretchers after they had spent 296 hours trapped in the rubble. 

The death toll in Turkey stands at 39,672, while neighbouring Syria has reported more than 5,800 deaths. Syria’s toll has not changed for days.

While many international rescue teams have left the vast quake zone, domestic teams continued to search through flattened buildings on Saturday hoping to find more survivors who defied the odds. Experts say most rescues occur in the 24 hours following an earthquake.

Hakan Yasinoglu, in his 40s, was rescued in the southern province of Hatay, 278 hours after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the dead of night on February 6, the Istanbul Fire Brigade said.

Earlier, Osman Halebiye, 14, and Mustafa Avci, 34, were saved in Turkey’s historic city of Antakya, known in ancient times as Antioch. As Avci was carried away, he was put on a video call with his parents, who showed him his newborn baby.

« I had completely lost all hope. This is a true miracle. They gave me my son back. I saw the wreckage and I thought nobody could be saved alive from there, » his father said.

Aid organisations say the survivors will need help for months to come with so much crucial infrastructure destroyed.

In neighbouring Syria, already shattered by more than a decade of civil war, the bulk of fatalities have been in the northwest, an area controlled by insurgents who are at war with President Bashar al-Assad – a conflict that has complicated efforts to aid people affected by the earthquake.

Thousands of Syrians who had sought refuge in Turkey from their country’s civil war have returned to their homes in the war zone, at least for now.

Anger grows 

Neither Turkey nor Syria have said how many people are still missing following the quake.

For families still waiting to retrieve relatives in Turkey, there is growing anger over what they see as corrupt building practices and deeply flawed urban development that resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes and businesses.

One such building was the Ronesans Rezidans (Renaissance Residence), which keeled over in Antakya, killing hundreds.

« It was said to be earthquake-safe, but you can see the result, » said Hamza Alpaslan, 47, whose brother had lived in the apartment block. « It’s in horrible condition. There is neither cement nor proper iron in it. It’s a real hell. »

Turkey has promised to investigate anyone suspected of responsibility for the collapse of buildings and has ordered the detention of more than 100 suspects, including developers.

The United Nations on Thursday appealed for more than $1 billion in funds for the Turkish relief operation, and has launched a $400 million appeal for Syrians.

World Opinions – FRANCE 24 – AFP and Reuters

L’article Turkey-Syria death toll tops 45,000; three found alive 13 days after quakes est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Le bilan du séisme de magnitude 7,8 qui a frappé lundi le sud de la Turquie et la Syrie voisine continue de croître: plus de 11’700 personnes ont perdu la vie et des milliers d’autres ont été blessées dans les deux pays. Comme des milliers d’immeubles se sont effondrés, l’OMS a dit craindre un bilan beaucoup plus lourd.

Dans le froid et parfois sous la neige, la course contre la montre se poursuit pour extirper des survivants. De nombreux blessés, qui pour beaucoup ont dormi dehors, attendent aussi d’être pris en charge, dont de nombreux enfants, alors que les sans-abri se comptent par dizaines de milliers.

L’Union européenne et de nombreux pays ont proposé leur aide et envoyé des secouristes et du matériel sur place. Les 80 spécialistes de la Chaîne suisse de sauvetage sont arrivés dans la nuit de lundi à mardi dans le sud de la Turquie, à Adana. Ils se sont ensuite rendus à Hatay, où ils ont installé leur base d’opérations.

Michael Kohler: « La coopération entre la Turquie et l’UE est très bien établie « 

A ce jour, quelque 80 sauveteurs et sauveteuses suisses sont engagés en Turquie, dont 29 membres de l’armée suisse. Du côté de l’Union européenne, plus de 1180 sauveteurs ont été mobilisés via le mécanisme européen de protection civile. Il s’agit de secouristes issus de plusieurs pays de l’Union, comme l’explique au micro du Forum Michael Kohler, directeur adjoint de la protection civile et de l’aide humanitaire de l’Union européenne.

« Même si la Turquie n’est pas un Etat membre de l’UE, elle participe depuis longtemps au mécanisme de la protection civile de l’UE. Les collègues turcs ont l’habitude de coopérer avec les Etats européens en matière de protection et de réaction aux désastres naturels », explique-t-il. « Cette coopération est extrêmement bien établie. »

Dès les premiers instants après le séisme, le mécanisme s’est mis en route. « La Turquie a immédiatement lancé un appel à l’aide avec des demandes très précises. Par exemple des couvertures, des tentes, des générateurs, des médicaments et des purificateurs d’eau. Cette demande a été envoyée au centre de crise à Bruxelles à la Commission, qui a ensuite réparti ces demandes aux Etats membres », poursuit-il.

Plus de 20 pays ont offert des équipes de sauvetage. « Il y en a exactement 36 avec plus de 1500 personnes en Turquie, 100 chiens de sauvetage », se réjouit-il, indiquant que 3 millions d’euros ont été libérés rien que pour la Turquie.

Face à l’ampleur de la catastrophe, la Chaîne du Bonheur a ouvert un compte et appelé aux dons pour venir en aide aux victimes.

En Syrie aussi

Et Michael Kohler d’ajouter: « A côté de cela, on n’oublie pas la Syrie où il y a le même degré de désastre. Pour la Syrie, nous avons libéré 3,5 millions d’euros d’aide d’urgence. Et ce, même si les relations politiques avec ce pays sont compliquées. »

Des habitants souvent livrés à eux-mêmes

Le bilan du séisme dévastateur qui a touché lundi la Turquie et la Syrie ne cesse de grimper. Il dépasse désormais les 11’700 morts, alors que les équipes de secours s’activent toujours pour retrouver des survivants dans les décombres.

La RTS a pu notamment se rendre dans la région de Kahramanmaraş, où vivent plus d’un million de personnes. Située non loin de l’épicentre, cette ville a beaucoup souffert avec des maisons éventrées et des quartiers totalement anéantis.

A côté de cela, des rescapés, souvent dans un état de choc, recherchent toujours des amis, des proches ou des parents. Ils attendent toujours les secours qui tardent à être véritablement opérationnels. Et ce, alors que le froid, le manque d’eau et de nourriture commencent à se faire ressentir parmi la population. Des gens désormais sans toit qui commencent à se sentir livrés à eux-mêmes.

World Opinions + RTS info + Agences

L’article Séisme en Turquie et en Syrie: Le bilan est désormais de 11’700 morts et les recherches continuent dans les décombres.. Vidéo est apparu en premier sur World Opinion | Alternative Média.

Specialist rescue teams from countries all over the world are flying out to Turkey to help find survivors in the rubble.

Many are sending specialist firefighters, medics, equipment and specially trained dogs.

Turkey says 2,316 people have been killed and 13,293 injured in Monday’s earthquakes.

Emergency services said 7,340 people have been rescued so far.

Syrians call for help as hospitals fill with earthquake survivors

Syrian doctors are calling for help as hospitals in the country fill up with hundreds of survivors of Monday’s earthquakes.

Mohammad Hamza, a co-ordinator for the aid agency Islamic Relief, was in the small town of Ad Dana in north-west Syria when the earthquake struck in Turkey this morning.

Hamza, a father of three, described the moment of panic when he felt the quake.

“I found my children were sleeping, I didn’t know what to do. Shall I wake them up or shall I leave them sleeping? » he told the BBC World Service’s Newshour programme.

“We are dying anyway! This is what I was thinking. Shall I let them be scared by the situation?

Is it going to be better under the bed? Actually, I didn’t know what to do. I just froze, I stopped, I couldn’t move. »

Mohammad HamzaCo-ordinator, Islamic Relief aid agency

Syrian death toll increases to 1,293

At least 1,293 people have been killed and 3,411 injured in Syria in Monday’s earthquakes, the government and rescue workers say.

In government-controlled areas, the toll rose to 593 dead and 1,411 injured in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus, Syria’s health ministry said.

In rebel-held parts of the country’s northwest, at least 700 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured, according to the White Helmets rescue group.

US says it will not engage with Assad gov’t to deliver aid

The administration of US President Joe Biden has said it is “committed” to delivering aid to Syrians, but it ruled out reaching out to the government in Damascus, which it does not recognise as legitimate.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that Washington will not engage with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the aftermath of the deadly earthquakes that struck Syria and Turkey on Monday.

“It would be quite ironic – if not even counterproductive – for us to reach out to a government that has brutalised its people over the course of a dozen years now … Instead, we have humanitarian partners on the ground who can provide the type of assistance in the aftermath of these tragic earthquakes,” Price said.

World Opinions – Agencies

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