The US is “deeply concerned” about the effects of the earthquake that has affected Turkey and Syria

6 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United States government has been “deeply concerned” about the effects of the earthquake that has shaken southern Turkey, near the northern border of Syria, and which has killed more than a hundred people, according to reports. preliminary reports.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that Washington “stands ready to provide all necessary assistance,” according to a White House statement.

Likewise, Sullivan has indicated that US President Joe Biden has ordered the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as other agencies, to evaluate the Executive’s response options to help to those most affected.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the Government of Turkey,” said the National Security adviser.

According to preliminary reports, there are about 200 fatalities -76 in Turkey and 111 in Syria- due to an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale that occurred at 04:17 local time (02:17 Spanish peninsular time) in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras.

Subsequently, numerous aftershocks have been recorded, including three that have reached a magnitude of 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6 on the Richter scale.

The Turkish government has declared “the highest level of alarm”, which implies the request for international aid. For his part, the Syrian president is presiding over an extraordinary Council of Ministers to assess the emergency situation in the country.