Four Australians missing after Turkey earthquake, government pledges more aid

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) mentioned it’s offering help to the 4 Australians who have been within the Turkey area on the time of the earthquake and stay unaccounted for.

Authorities are urgently attempting to trace down these people.

Australia announces further assistance to Turkey and Syria. — Foreign minister Penny Wong has introduced additional support for Turkey and Syria. (9News)

Thousands of buildings collapsed in Turkey and Syria. Aid companies are warning of “catastrophic” repercussions in northwest Syria, the place tens of millions of weak and displaced individuals have been already counting on humanitarian help. (Planet Labs PBC)

“DFAT working to provide consulate assistance to around 40 other Australians in the region,” the physique mentioned.

The demise toll has climbed above 7700 and is predicted to rise additional.

It comes because the Australian authorities has moved to urgently present humanitarian support to the nation.

But as we speak, international minister Penny Wong introduced additional help to activate the AUS Assist Plan to ”deploy an urban search and rescue team of up to 72 personnel to Turkey to assist local authorities”.

“These are urban search and rescue specialists, highly trained to locate, deliver medical assistance to, and remove victims who have been trapped by structural collapse,” Wong mentioned.

Smoke billows from the scene of a collapsed buildings on February 07, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey. — Smoke billows from the scene of a collapsed buildings in Hatay in Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Rescuers are working across the clock to salvage individuals from wreckages earlier than a chilly snap sweeps by. (Getty)

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) can be finishing up an pressing evaluation to “ensure the safety of Australian personnel”.

The federal authorities can be trying to deploy the Australian Defence Force to the area as quickly as potential.

“We have been watching the heartbreaking scenes in Turkey and Syria with horror,” Wong mentioned.

“These are extremely difficult times, we have been horrified by the scene of devastation and the stories of human tragedy.

“There is a lot heroism, and compassion for man, girl and little one, that’s on show in these areas.”

Other nations have additionally been fast to launch emergency funds to help the grief-stricken and devastated nations.

Nearly 30 countries have sent rescue teams to aid in recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria.

Monday’s magnitude 7.8 quake and powerful aftershocks cut a swath of destruction that stretched hundreds of kilometres across southeastern Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

The shaking toppled thousands of buildings and heaped more misery on a region wracked by Syria’s 12-year civil war and refugee crisis.

Rescuers are now racing against time to pull survivors from the rumble before cold weather sweeps across the country.