CS Mutua's Message After 4,300 Die In Turkey Earthquake

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua on Monday, February 6 sent his condolences to the governments and citizens of Turkey and Syria after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck both countries.

In a statement, Mutua remarked that the earthquake was one of the most powerful natural disasters to affect the region while assuring the citizens of the two countries of his compassion and the goodwill of Kenyans.

"I have today condoled and commiserated with the governments and the peoples of Turkey and Syria, following a devasting 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit both countries this morning.

"This is one of the most powerful quakes to have hit the region, leading to the tragic loss of life and destruction of property. I assure the brotherly peoples of Turkey and Syria of my great compassion and of the goodwill of the people of Kenya in this time of profound grief," he wrote.

Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu on her part assured the country that no Kenyan was reported dead or injured in the tragic earthquake.

However, she appealed to those living in Turkey and Syria to contact the respective embassies for emergency assistance.

"Following today's tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Kenyan Embassy in Ankara confirms no reports of any Kenyan dead or injured. Kenyans affected by this earthquake can call the embassy hotline or send a direct message to us," Njogu's statement read in part.

PS Njogu advised Kenyans affected in Syria and Turkey to contact the government through the following details: embassy hotline +90(538)502 0960, email [email protected]

The embassy also joined the rest of the world in commiserating with the families of the victims who died as a result of the earthquake.

The tragedy which claimed 4,300 lives followed a strong earthquake that hit the region at around 4 a.m. on Monday, February 6, sending tremors to places as far away as Lebanon and Israel.

In Turkey, at least 2,921 people were killed and more than 15,800 others injured, according to Turkey’s head of disaster services, Yunus Sezer.

At least 1,451 people have died in Syria, according to the Syrian State News Agency (SANA).

Also affected by the earthquake was Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, who previously had short stints with English Premier League sides Newcastle United and Chelsea. According to Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, the Turkish journalist who first broke the news about his missing, Atsu was found safe having been pulled out of the wreckage alive but injured.

The 31-year-old, who penned a deal with Hatayspor in 2022, was not the only member of the club who was trapped. Some of the club’s officials are yet to be found. 

Some European nations including France and Greece mobilized search- and rescue teams to travel to the affected areas. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared seven days of national mourning following the natural disaster.

Former Newcastle United footballer, Christian Atsu. /FILE