On Tuesday, President William Ruto conveyed a message of sympathy to the families and victims of a series of earthquakes that claimed at least 4,800 lives in Turkey and Syria.

The Head of State tweeted, "Our hearts go out to the people of Syria and Turkey following the loss of life caused by the earthquake."

We send our condolences to the relatives of the deceased, and we pray for a speedy recovery for all those hurt.

Disaster relief organizations reported that thousands of structures were destroyed in numerous border cities, adding to the misery already experienced by the area due to conflict, insurgency, refugee crisis, and a recent cholera outbreak.


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When the first powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck early on Monday, survivors spent the entire night picking through the mangled remains of multi-story apartment buildings to save family members, friends, and anyone else sleeping inside.

Residents had difficulty understanding the scope of the catastrophe, which contributed to a general feeling of disbelief.

In the city of Kahramanmaras in southeast Turkey, a 23-year-old reporter named Melisa Salman remarked, "We believed it was the end of the world."

Between Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep, a city of two million people whose entire blocks now lie in rubble under collecting snow, some of the worst destruction occurred.

A second structure collapsed nearby, sending crowds scrambling for safety as locals worked to clear the multi-story building.

Many terrified and worn-out survivors spent the night outside because they were too afraid to go inside as aftershocks continued to tremble the neighbourhood.

Others covered themselves in plastic to protect themselves from the cold rain, huddled under bus shelters, and burnt rubbish to stay warm.


Mustafa Koyuncu piled his wife, their five kids, and their belongings into their parked car.

According to the 55yr old, "We can't go home." Everybody is in fear.

The latest confirmed death toll in Turkey alone was 3,381, according to the rescue organization AFAD, increasing the total in Turkey and Syria to 4,890.

With up to 20,000 possible casualties, according to World Health Organization authorities, there are beliefs that the death toll may continue to increase in great numbers.

In the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, a 20-year-old student named Omer El Cuneyd claimed, "There is a family I know under the rubble."

"My friend was still answering the phone till 11:00 or noon; now she no longer responds. She is situated there."

The estimated 20,000 injured are receiving treatment from the overwhelmed medical personnel.