Turkey began deploying thousands of soldiers in areas struck by two massive earthquakes, following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement of a three-month state of emergency. Erdogan plans to visit two quake-hit provinces on Wednesday.
(Bloomberg) —
Turkey began deploying thousands of soldiers in areas struck by two massive earthquakes, following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement of a three-month state of emergency. Erdogan plans to visit two quake-hit provinces on Wednesday.
Quake Latest: Turkey Declares Emergency Rule, Death Toll Rises
The death toll across Turkey and neighboring Syria surpassed 8,000, while more than 11,000 buildings have been damaged from the temblors that struck Monday, trapping many inside in freezing temperatures.
Turkey restarted oil flows to key export terminal Ceyhan after a precautionary halt. Turkey’s government is overwhelmed by the extent of the damage to infrastructure, logistical problems and aid needed to assist the 13.4 million people living in the disaster zone. Dozens of countries have so far offered help.
Key Developments
- Turkey Restarts Oil Loadings at Mediterranean Export Terminal
- Turkish Stocks Enter Bear Market in Aftermath of Deadly Quake
- CityLab Daily: The City Hardest-Hit by Turkey’s Earthquake
(All times Istanbul, GMT +3)
Turkey’s Death Toll Surpasses 6,000 (9:37 a.m.)
The death toll in the country climbed to 6,234, disaster management presidency AFAD said. In Syria, at least 1,832 were killed in government and rebel-controlled areas, according to an AP report.
Scenes of young children, a pregnant woman and other victims still being pulled to safety highlight the thousands of people who have been rescued so far.
President Erdogan to Visit Quake Zones Wednesday (9:33 a.m.)
Turkish President Erdogan is expected to visit Kahramanmaras and Hatay, two provinces severely affected by the earthquake, on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Presidency.
Turkey Restarts Crude Oil Loadings at Ceyhan Terminal (9:02 a.m.)
Turkish pipeline operator Botas restarted flows of crude oil to the Ceyhan export terminal on the Mediterranean coast late on Tuesday, an official with direct knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.
Ship loadings from the terminal, which exports Azerbaijani and Iraqi oil, resumed around midnight, they added.
Botas had halted oil flows to the terminal after Monday’s first quake to inspect the facility, but no leaks or damage were found.
Turkey Deploys Commandos in Quake Zone (7:50 a.m.)
The Turkish military has been sending thousands of commandos and other units to the quake zone from barracks located in the country’s west and Cyprus.
Before the most recent period of mobilization began, 7,500 soldiers were already helping rescue operations, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said late Tuesday.
Ro-Ro Vessels Carrying Aid to Survivors (7:19 a.m.)
Two companies that operate roll-on/roll-off vessels have dispatched ships to aid quake survivors due to difficulties in reaching disaster areas via land, Ekonomi newspaper reports.
DFDS sent the Pergamon Seaways from Istanbul, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The 213-meter vessel will deliver cranes and aid material, Ekonomi reported.
Ulusoy Shipping sent the Ulusoy 5 Ro-Ro from Izmir to the Port of Iskenderun on Wednesday morning, Anadolu Agency reported. The ship is expected to arrive with a similar cargo in 40 hours.
Main Opposition Leader Holds Erdogan Responsible (2:24 a.m.)
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of main opposition party CHP, said he will not treat disaster management as something to be “above politics,” adding that President Erdogan is responsible for the failures and “corruption” that amplified the damage.
“I don’t need to be in solidarity with Erdogan and his palace,” Kilicdaroglu said in a video posted on Twitter. Erdogan has held talks with many opposition leaders since the quakes but hasn’t called Kilicdaroglu.
Iraq’s Kurdistan Says Oil Flows to Ceyhan Resumed (00:44 a.m.)
Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish government said it resumed crude oil flows to Ceyhan port late Tuesday.
–With assistance from Selcan Hacaoglu, Firat Kozok, Beril Akman, Taylan Bilgic, Ugur Yilmaz and Patrick Sykes.
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