ANKARA
Arab countries continued their relief efforts for the victims of two violent earthquakes that jolted Türkiye and Syria on Monday.
At least 29,605 people were killed and more than 80,278 others injured by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Monday, according to the latest official figures.
The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces in Türkiye, and also affected several countries in the region.
In Syria, at least 3,574 people were killed and over 5,290 others injured in the killer earthquakes, according to figures compiled on Sunday.
According to the Saudi state news agency SPA, a Saudi team continued its rescue efforts in quake-hit areas in Türkiye on Sunday.
Ayman Al-Mufareh, the head of a Kuwaiti rescue mission, said his team is pursuing efforts to search for survivors around the clock in the quake-hit areas.
Al-Salam Association for Humanitarian and Charitable Activities said it allocated over 350,000 dinars ($1.14 million) for quake victims in Türkiye and Syria.
“An additional relief plane loaded with 1,000 tents for the quake victims is scheduled to arrive on Monday in coordination with official authorities in Kuwait,” Dhari Al-Baijan, a spokesman for the association, told the state news agency KUNA.
In Iraq, the cabinet said two planes loaded with relief materials will be dispatched to Syria, according to state news agency INA.
"Iraq has flown 24 flights carrying aid to Türkiye and Syria via an air bridge ordered by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani,” Haider Majeed, a cabinet spokesman, said.
On Saturday, al-Sudani spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the phone to offer his condolences over the victims of the two deadly earthquakes.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki also said a Palestinian rescue mission is “carrying out exceptional relief efforts” in Türkiye and Syria.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, for his part, hailed efforts of his country’s rescue teams in quake-hit areas in Türkiye and Syria.
“A big greeting to all of you for the smile and happiness you sow among our people in Türkiye and Syria, with all your professionalism and even heroism. You are the pride of Algeria,” he tweeted.
In Libya, the head of Tripoli-based unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, also saluted efforts of Libyan rescuers in Türkiye and Syria.
On Saturday, a flight loaded with medicines, foodstuffs, tents, blankets and heaters was dispatched by Libya for quake victims in Türkiye and Syria.
In Somalia, the University of Mogadishu held a memorial service for the quake victims in Türkiye and Syria.
“The memorial service was meant to show solidarity with the quake victims,” Aweys Hussein, a spokesman for the university, told the Somali News Agency.
“Türkiye stood by Somalia in difficult times and we have to stand by it at this critical moment," he added.
In Lebanon, a Lebanese relief mission left Saturday for Türkiye to participate in relief efforts in the areas affected by the earthquakes.
"Lebanon will continue sending relief missions to support the affected countries as part of its duties towards friendly countries and their peoples," Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said.
Sixteen Arab countries have officially announced the launch of air bridges and the provision of urgent relief and medical aid to support Türkiye, according to official statements.
The countries are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Bahrain, Libya, Tunisia, Palestine, Iraq, Mauritania, Sudan, and Oman.
* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report
