Turkey: Over 100 rescued from debris after quake

The Turkish president on Saturday announced that 103 people were rescued from debris after an earthquake hit Turkey's Aegean provinces on Friday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspected the earthquake zone in the coastal Aegean province of Izmir, and the authorities at the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Coordination Center briefed the president on the work carried out after the quake.

So far, 885 people have been injured, said Erdogan, while the death toll from the quake rose to 39, according to AFAD.

Erdogan also said that a grant-in-aid of 24 million Turkish liras (over $2.87-million) has been sent so far to the quake-hit area and more will be provided based on need.

He stressed that 35 mobile base stations have been shipped to the region, with 25 already installed, adding that after all debris is removed, construction work will start to build houses for those whose homes collapsed.

While the debris removal work continues, the Environment and Urbanization Ministry will immediately take steps in these areas, just like after earthquakes in eastern Elazig and Malatya provinces, Erdogan noted.

During the process, home rents of citizens will be paid and their settlements will be provided, he said, adding that the Environment and Urbanization Ministry along with the Family, Labor and Social Services Ministry will compensate people affected by the quake for the cost for their damaged belongings.

Erdogan said the National Education Ministry would make a decision whether or not to extend the suspension of education in the area.

Dorms would be available for those affected by the quake if they were willing to stay, he added, noting that following the disaster, 88 countries have conveyed their messages of solidarity and wishes of fast recovery.