The Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Ismail Yusuf, says no Nigerian was among the casualties of the earthquake that hit some cities in Turkey.
“We have no information of any Nigeria amongst the victims so far,” Yusuf said in a telephone interview.
Yusuf said the embassy was on alert to know the state of every registered Nigerian in the country.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit some cities in southeastern Turkey in the early hours of Monday, with a death toll of 3,400.
Yusuf said rescue efforts were ongoing, and there had been no report of any Nigerian casualty living in the affected region as of the time of speaking to journalists.
“It is too early to provide any specifics on the outcome of rescue and related matters, including census, because the seven affected cities are mostly in ruins, and many people are still trapped in several buildings.
“Furthermore, the rescue efforts are being slowed down by the seething winter, with snow everywhere,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf disclosed, President Muhammadu Buhari had commiserated with the government and people of Turkey, pledging Nigeria’s support and solidarity.
President Recep Erdogan had said the earthquake in Turkey was the worst disaster the country had experienced in 84 years.
The Government of Turkey had declared a national emergency in the country, soliciting international aid and humanitarian assistance.
Over 3,400 people have been killed in the quake in Turkey, and thousands injured, with rescue operations still ongoing.
Over 2,000 people have also been reported dead in Syria, which was also hit by the quake.
Still in the cause of the casualty, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, has declared seven days of national mourning following the deadly earthquake that left more than 2,651 people dead in both Turkey and Syria.
People were asleep when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Gaziantep occurred early on Monday.
Around 13:30 local time (10:30 GMT), a new 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck, which authorities described as “not an aftershock.”
Erdogan proclaimed a seven-day period of national mourning after two earthquakes that struck Turkey today alone resulted in the deaths of more than 1,650 people.
The president, in a tweet, said “Due to the earthquakes that took place in our country on February 6, 2023, a national mourning period was declared for seven days.
“Our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until sunset on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in all our country and foreign representations.”
Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after hundreds of buildings collapsed in both countries.
It was alleged, the Syrian authorities are reporting 810 dead and more than 2,000.
World leaders have pledged to send aid after Turkey issued an international appeal for help. Millions of people across Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel felt the earthquake.
