By TPS • 26 January, 2020
A powerful earthquake hit western Turkey on Friday night and killed several people.
Tremors from that quake were felt in Israel’s center but caused no casualties or damage to the Jewish state.
The magnitude-6.8 quake caused buildings to collapse in Elazig, killed at least 31 people and injured more than 1,600. The area experienced multiple aftershocks.
Israelis reported feeling the tremor and some reportedly ran to their fortified safe rooms, usually used for shelter from rocket attacks.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat stated Saturday that “Israel extends its condolences to the people of Turkey following the earthquake in Elazig and hopes for a quick recovery to the wounded people.”
Israel did not offer to send aid to Turkey, as it has in the past.
However, Magen David Adom CEO Eli Bin sent a letter to the Turkish Red Crescent offering the Israeli’s emergency service’s aid and proposed to assist in humanitarian activities for the population affected by the quake.
Israel is situated on the East African Rift, which runs through the Jordan Valley, on the border with Jordan, an area prone to earthquakes.
The last major earthquake to hit the region occurred in 1927 — a 6.2-magnitude tremor that killed 500 people and injured another 700.
