DREF Allocated: No
This Bulletin is being issued to
reflect the information available at this Based on further updates and
details from assessment reports, or should the situation deteriorate, the
Federation may consider a request for further assistance.
The Situation
An earthquake of around 6.2 on the Richter Scale occurred around Isparta, Cay, Bolvadin and Sultandagi Sub-provinces of the Afyon Province at 09h32 (Turkish time) This was followed by some eight after shocks of around 5.3 magnitude. The worst hit areas are the town of Eber and the areas of Bolvadin and Sultandagi sub-provinces, with a total population of 75,000 and 20,000 respectively. The earthquake was felt in the neighboring provinces of Ankara, Burdur, Isparta, Eskisehir and Sakarya.
So far the earthquake has claimed 42 lives, with around 150 injured. Eleven people are still reported to be trapped under rubble and several rescue teams from the Civil Defense are working to save lives. An estimated 1,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Many of the most damaged houses are shops and public buildings, and fortunately these were closed (Sunday).
Eleven rescue teams from the Civil Defense (ten in Sultandagi and one in Yakasinek) are concentrating efforts in Sultandagi. Further information is awaited from surrounding villages.
In the town center of Afyon the earthquake was severe, with after shocks creating panic among the population. Authorities are instructing inhabitants of the area to stay out of buildings for the time being due to the aftershocks (Afyon Town is located southwest of Ankara, an approximately 2 hour drive). Around 1,000 homes are either destroyed or badly damaged. Additional search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs have been deployed from Ismir Province and other teams in Istanbul are on standby.
The authorities have requested that other Turkish and international teams remain on standby for the moment.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Action
The Turkey Red Crescent Society (TRCS) Disaster Operation Center (opened 24 hours) was fully activated by 1W0. Kizilay relief has already arrived in the area, and the national society is organizing assistance in coordination with local authorities. The very foggy conditions is slowing transport. At 1W0, two TRCS teams set off to Bolvadin and Sultandagi with 60 tents and 250 blankets (which had been pre-stored in Afyon).
A small evaluation team left from the Disaster Operation Center at around lOh30 followed by another team headed by the TRCS head of relief department.
At 11h30, 1,000 tents, 3,000 blankets and 5 portable kitchens (pre-loaded on trucks) took off from the TRCS Ankara warehouse for the area. Some 1,000 tents and more blankets are being prepared for dispatch depending on the situation and info from evaluation teams. Latest reports are that 7,000 tents and 10,000 blankets are now mobilized for distribution. Food distribution and the provision of tents by Kizilay to the affected is currently in process. Kizilay has also sent a health team consisting of 3 doctors and 6 nurses along with a fully equipped mobile clinic and 3 ambulances from Ankara and Isparta. Psychosocial teams from the ongoing Federation and Kizilay program responding to the 1999 earthquake are on alert and may proceed to Afyon Province by tomorrow.
The Prime Minister of Turkey is in the area, as well as the President of Kizilay. The Federation head of delegation, the DP delegate, and the programme co-ordinator were at the Disaster Coordination Centre during the morning with the national society officers. In the Federation's Geneva-level, the operation is being managed by the Europe Department desk officer and the operations manager, together with the Filed Assessment Coordination Team (FACT)/ERU officer (mobilized). A Federation representative will visit the area together with Kizilay during the next few days.
A FACT Alert has been posted. This is a limited alert to cover possible eventualities in case of further tremors resulting in further damage.
Needs
At this time the Turkish Government and Kizilay (TRCS) do not anticipate the need for international assistance. The Federation HoD reports a very rapid TRCS response and mobilization of pre-stocked resources. Possible assistance to replenish stock may be required if the situation degrades. The present FACT alert is intended to prepare for further action in the event of a deteriorating situation or should there be further damaging tremors.
For further details please contact:
Head of Operations: Iain Logan
Cell +41.79.217.3381
Desk Officer: Penny Elghady: Cell +41.79.205.1959
For a full description of the National Society profile, see www.ifrc.org
All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For support to or for further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org
For longer-term programmes, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal.
John Horekens
Head
Relationship Management Department
Ian Logan
Operations Manager
DMC