Delivering remarks after inspecting the search and rescue efforts, Erdoğan noted: “Unfortunately, the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes that occurred on Monday have caused grave destruction and casualties in our 10 provinces. While our 21,848 citizens have lost their lives in these earthquakes according to the latest data, our 80,104 citizens have been rescued wounded.”

“We have mobilized our state with all its institutions”

Erdoğan said: “We have mobilized our state with all its institutions, personnel, and equipment starting from the moment of the earthquake. We have deployed all the units of our ministries and all our security forces, including the police, military, and gendarmerie, as well as our institutions in charge of dealing with disasters. Our ministers, governors, mayors, public institutions and nongovernmental organizations have been working selflessly since the very first day. During the process, we have been faced with many problems due to the difficulties caused by the magnitude of the disaster and the severe winter conditions. However, we have not allowed any setback to prevent us from rushing to the aid of any citizen of ours.”

“We as the 85 million will join forces and inshallah overcome these trying days. I believe, with Allah’s permission, we will come through any crisis as long as we cast no shadow over our unity and solidarity”, Erdoğan stressed.

“We have formed the mechanisms that will meet our citizens’ all needs”

Further stressing that the construction of new buildings in the quake-hit areas would be completed within one year, Erdoğan continued as follows: “We will achieve this by acting in unity and solidarity once again, as has been the case during every period of our history. By declaring a state of emergency, and areas of disaster and by implementing force majeure, we have formed the mechanisms that will meet all the needs of our citizens and the region. Within this framework, we have extended the suspension of education at all the schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education until February 20.” (ILKHA)