According to the World Health Organization, the devastating earthquake that struck Europe last week and left tens of thousands dead in Turkey and Syria is the “biggest natural disaster” to have struck the continent in the previous 100 years.
More than 35,000 people have now died as a result of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and significant aftershock that occurred on February 6 in Turkey and nearby Syria.
Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, stated at a press conference on February 14 that “we are seeing the worst natural disaster in the WHO European region for a century and we are still learning about its severity.”
earthquake in Turkey is in Europe
There are 53 nations in the WHO’s European area, including Turkey. The WHO’s neighboring Eastern Mediterranean region includes Syria.
Kluge also said the health body had “initiated the largest deployment of emergency medical teams” in the 75-year history of the WHO European region.
“Twenty-two emergency medical teams have arrived in Turkey so far,” Kluge noted, adding they would integrate into “Turkey’s ongoing health response”.
The confirmed death count following the earthquake stands at 35,331, as officials and medics said 31,643 people had died in Turkey and at least 3,688 in Syria.
“The needs are huge, increasing by the hour. Some 26 million people across both countries need humanitarian assistance,” Kluge said.
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