The back-to-back earthquakes in Turkey and Syria put both the countries in misery as the global nations are pouring out the aid and support to these two neighbours who are bracing up the wrecking havoc of the historical episodes of quake that have been rapidly increasing the death toll and the fear of growing fatalities, with thousands have sustained brutal injuries and thousands are yet to get rescued from the rubbles, that once were skyscrapers and homes to the masses. 

In the midst of disturbing visuals, the death toll has crossed 5,000 in Turkey and Syria, which has become a disastrous whammy to both the countries. Implausibly, the region has witnessed five earthquakes in two days and all of these quakes were in a dangerous scale and destructed major lives. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the fifth earthquake with magnitude of 5.4 was recorded on Tuesday - February 7 in the eastern Turkey. 

The death toll has breached 5,000 with thousands of buildings were confirmed to have been collapsed. According to The Guardian, of these 5,000 deaths, 3,419 fatalities were from Turkey and the rest 1,600 were from Syria. Over 24,000 people have been involved in the rescue efforts. The first earthquake in the Gaziantep province of Turkey was recorded early on Monday with the powerful magnitude of 7.8. The following quakes were incredible as for the region, it is first such dangerous quake in hundred years. 

While 20,420 people have been injured in Turkey, 3,648 people have been injured in Syria. The rescuers are using at least 54 aircraft and 10 ships to transport the injured people and to assist in the massive rescue efforts. The Gaziantep province, which is southeast of Turkey and shares the border with Syria, was the epicenter and after the first powerful earthquake, there were hundreds of aftershocks that rocked Turkey. As several such aftershocks have been predicted, it is expected that the search and rescue efforts will witness a larger disruption. 

On Tuesday morning, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay had confirmed the death toll. Turkey's disaster management agency said it had 11,342 reports of collapsed buildings, of which 5,775 had been confirmed. As Turkey is in the prayers across the world, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday imposed three month state of emergency on ten Turkish provinces that were affected by the quake. According to Reuters, Erdogan said that 70 countries had offered help in search and rescue operations. 

Amid the teary visuals from Turkey, there have been disturbing photos showing thousands of people taking shelter in trains after losing their homes and belongings. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that about 23 million people in Turkey and Syria would get affected by the earthquakes. On the other hand, Syria, which is still reeling from the traces of a worst civil war, is pushed to suffer more ordeals brought by the earthquakes. 

Syria has over 4 million people under humanitarian assistance and as Syria has been sharing the devastation, the country has now been witnessing the loss of thousands of lives and concerns over the lack of access to shelter and safe drinking water, which had sparked the risk of spread of diseases. Syria has also been accused of playing politics with aid after the Syrian ambassador to the UN Bassam Sabbagh said his country should be responsible for the delivery of all aid into Syria, including those areas that are not under Syrian government control. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took to Twitter and wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye & Syria, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The UN stands ready to support emergency response efforts." On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time." 

I am deeply saddened by the news of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye & Syria, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

The @UN stands ready to support emergency response efforts.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 6, 2023

Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2023