When we think of natural disasters, many of us think of hurricanes, floods, and other destructive weather phenomena. But earthquakes can be just as catastrophic, as was recently seen in Turkey and Syria. At 4:30 a.m. local time on Friday, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked the region, toppling buildings and killing at least 38 people.
The epicenter of the quake was located in the Elazig province of eastern Turkey, about 10 miles from the Syrian border. The tremors were felt throughout the region, including in the Turkish cities of Diyarbakir, Malatya, and Adiyaman, as well as in the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Raqqa.
In Turkey, at least 24 people were killed, and more than 1,000 were injured. In the Elazig province, many buildings collapsed, including a dormitory at a university in the city of Elazig. In the nearby city of Sivrice, a bridge was destroyed, cutting off access to the city.
In Syria, at least 14 people were killed and more than 200 were injured. In Aleppo, many buildings were damaged, including a hospital and several schools. The quake also caused a power outage in the city.
The quake was felt as far away as Jordan and Lebanon. In the capital of Jordan, Amman, people ran out of their homes in panic. In Lebanon, the tremors were felt in the capital, Beirut, and in the northern city of Tripoli.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria was a devastating reminder of the power of nature. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.
Source: www.bbc.com