Addressing AK Party’s provincial heads, Erdoğan said: “We will continue to work day and night in order for our country to be prepared for natural disasters, earthquake in particular. We also constantly update disaster and emergency management plans for the aftermath of any possible earthquake.”

Noting that 114 citizens lost their lives and 1035 others got wounded in the Izmir earthquake, Erdoğan said 999 people were discharged from hospital, with 36 still under treatment.

Wishing Allah’s mercy upon the dead and a speedy recovery to the wounded, Erdoğan underlined that search and rescue operations were instantly launched right after the earthquake and that the citizens hit by the quake were provided with whatever they needed.

Debris removal efforts will be completed shortly and the construction of new disaster residences will start within a month, said Erdoğan, and added: “We will continue to work day and night in order for our country to be prepared for natural disasters, earthquake in particular. We also constantly update disaster and emergency management plans for the aftermath of any possible earthquake.” (ILKHA)