International
Nearly 85,000 buildings were destroyed by earthquakes in Turkey
18 février |
Türkiye authorities indicated that more than 84,000 buildings were destroyed or severely structurally damaged by the earthquakes that hit the south of the country and northern Syria on February 6.
The Minister of Environment and Urban Planning of Türkiye, Murat Kurum, stated that 84,726 buildings were affected by the earthquakes that occurred in the country.
He also announced that the government will start planning for the construction of housing for all the people who lost their homes due to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
According to Turkish media, the official stated that they have examined around 684,000 buildings, of which more than 84,700 are totally collapsed, in critical condition or in need of immediate demolition.
The Urban Planning head noted that more than 7,300 personnel have been deployed to examine the situation, and that in Adana province alone there are 148 buildings in this state.
Murat Kurum urged the population to stay away from severely damaged houses and buildings due to the danger of collapse because of the desire to recover their belongings.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this week that construction work will begin on 30,000 houses in early March.
During a meeting with representatives of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish president said that the goal is to complete the construction of safe housing and buildings by the end of 2023 in the areas affected by the earthquake.
On the other hand, the Turkish authorities reported that the search for survivors, which is still ongoing twelve days after the powerful earthquake, has not yet ended.
Turkey’s Interior Minister, Süleyman Soylu, raised on Friday the death toll from the earthquakes registered in the country at the beginning of February to 39,672.
“To date, we have lost 39,672 people as a result of the earthquakes,” the official stated, while more than 108,000 were injured.
In addition, the minister indicated that rescue teams and rescuers have carried out 20,000 search and rescue operations in the rubble of buildings destroyed after the quakes.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
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