What has happened?

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale has struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, less than 12 hours after an initial 7.8 magnitude tremor hit in the early hours on Monday 6th February.

Buildings have collapsed killing 1,498 people with thousands more injured, as the earthquake wiped out entire sections of major cities. Hundreds are still unaccounted for. It is feared that they are trapped among the rubble of their homes.

Initial reports indicate the impact has been devastating in areas that already host a high number of displaced and vulnerable families, who have fled the civil war in Syria. Turkey is the worlds largest host of refugees with 3.7 million Syrians taking refuge in the country.

So far it has been reported that:

- 1,498 people have been killed

- 5,386 people have been injured

- 2,818 buildings have been destroyed

2,470 people have been rescued so far, but to make matters worse, there are severe snowstorms badly affecting rescue efforts, which are expected to continue until Thursday.

We need your support

READ Foundation is on the ground right now working in close coordination with the local authorities to provide vital assistance to affected families who are in urgent need.

Help our local team in Turkey to provide urgent relief to survivors of this shocking tragedy.