Brazilian government offers aid to Turkey and Syria, says Itamaraty

So far, there is no record of Brazilians killed or injured

Pedro Peduzzi

Published on 06/02/2023 - 16:22

Agência Brasil - Brasília

Palácio do Itamaraty na Esplanada dos Ministérios — © Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/Agência Brasil

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a note in which it expresses its solidarity and condolences to the peoples of Turkey and Syria, and to the victims of the earthquakes that left at least 1.6 thousand dead, besides "thousands of injured people" and incalculable material damage.

Itamaraty said it is following "with great concern" the information about the earthquake that affected with greater intensity the two countries this morning (6). "The Brazilian government is providing ways to offer humanitarian aid to people affected by the earthquake," the statement said.

According to the folder, there is, so far, no news of dead or injured Brazilians. "The Brazilian embassies in Ankara and Damascus, as well as the Brazilian consulate-general in Istanbul, are monitoring developments in the region on an on-call basis," it added.

Earlier in the day, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the victims. "We look with concern at the news coming from Turkey and Syria, following an earthquake of great magnitude. Brazil expresses its solidarity with the peoples of the two countries, with the families of the victims and everyone who lost their homes in this tragedy," Lula said via social networks.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which occurred early in the morning, was the worst to hit Turkey this century. It was also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon. Rescue teams operating in a harsh winter were pulling victims from the rubble across the region.Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said 45 countries have offered to help in the search and rescue efforts.

In Syria, already ravaged by more than 11 years of civil war, the Health Ministry said at least 326 people were killed and 1,042 injured. In the northwest controlled by Syrian rebels, rescue teams said 147 people were killed.

The United States Geological Survey said the quake occurred at a depth of 17.9 kilometers and reported a series of earthquakes, one of magnitude 6.7. The region crosses seismic faults.