Erdogan visits quake-hit province, calls for unity

The government has used all the levers and resources to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake in ten provinces of Türkiye, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 8 in the city of Kahramanmanrash, Anadolu reports.

According to the Turkish leader, the number of victims of two earthquakes with an epicentre in the province of Kahramanmarash, based on the latest data, has reached 8,574 people, and 49,133 were injured. A total of 6,444 residential buildings were destroyed.

Erdogan announced that each of the families affected by the two earthquakes will receive 10,000 lira ($530) assistance from the state.

According to him, residents of the disaster zone, if they wish, can stay in hotels in Antalya, Alanya, and Mersin.

He added the government aims to provide residents of 10 earthquake-affected provinces with new apartments within a year, just as it was in the area of other disasters.

Erdogan called on compatriots for unity and solidarity in the face of disaster.

The head of state stressed that citizens, as well as media outlets, should not succumb to provocations and take into account only official data on the disaster area, disseminated by the Emergency Management Department under the Government of Turkey (AFAD).