Marcos says PH ready to help deadly earthquake-hit Turkey, Syria
FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo by Nestor Corrales/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines is ready to extend help to Turkey and Syria after the two nations were hit by a major earthquake.
In a Twitter post, Marcos conveyed his “thoughts and prayers” to the peoples and residents of Turkey and Syria.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the peoples and governments of Türkiye and Syria following the strong earthquake that has claimed many lives and caused massive destruction to their countries,” he said.
“The Philippines is ready to help in whatever way it can in responding to this disaster,” the President added.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the peoples and governments of Türkiye and Syria following the strong earthquake that has claimed many lives and caused massive destruction to their countries. The Philippines is ready to help in whatever way it can in responding to this disaster.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) February 6, 2023
More than 600 people were killed while thousands were injured after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattled central Turkey and northwest Syria, collapsing buildings and triggering searches for survivors in the rubble.
The quake, which hit in the early darkness of a winter morning, was also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said 284 people were killed and 2,323 injured, and authorities have declared a “level 4 alarm” that calls for international assistance.
In Syria, already devastated by more than 11 years of civil war, a government health official said more than 237 people had been killed and about 600 injured, most in the provinces of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia, where numerous buildings tumbled down.
In the Syrian rebel-held northwest, rescuers said 147 people had died.
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