The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that three Ugandans have been affected by the earthquake that took place in Turkey early this week.
In a statement released on Saturday 11 February 2023, the ministry said they are in constant communication with the Government of Turkey and the leadership of the Ugandan community in the country to establish those who have been affected by the aftermath of the earthquake and see how to offer necessary solutions.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public of the plight of Ugandans in the Republic of Turkey, following the devastating earthquakes that occurred on Monday 6th 2023, 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) East of Nurdagi Gaziantap Province in Turkey,” the statement reads in part.
It further reads: “According to the information availed, three (03) Ugandans in Diyarbakr, Turkey were affected. One of them sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment in hospital in Malatic City and is responding well.”
The ministry clarified that the two girls captured on video circulating on different social media platforms expressing distress had earlier been contacted by officials of the Ugandan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey and remain in constant communication to offer support.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that happened in both Syria and Turkey has, according to international media such as CNN, so far left more than 21,000 people dead.
“Turkey lies on two fault lines and has earthquake building codes dating back more than 80 years. But last Monday’s double earthquake was far more intense than anything seen since 1939. More than 21,000 people have so far been confirmed to have died. The first quake registered magnitude 7.8 at 04:17, followed by another of 7.5 dozens of miles away,” CNN reported early this week.
