Govt Speaks of Kenyans Safety After 4,300 Die in Turkey, Syria Earthquake

The government has issued a statement regarding the safety of Kenyan citizens working and residing in Turkey and Syria after an earthquake claimed 4,300 lives.

Speaking on Monday, February 6, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said no Kenyan was reported dead or injured during the tragic incident.

Njogu further 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.

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“Kenyans affected by this earthquake can call the embassy hotline or send a direct message to us,” Njogu’s statement read in part.

The PS listed hotline numbers and email details for Kenyans to contact the embassy and government officials for help. Her statement came amidst concern over the safety of Kenyans in those two countries.

Further, the embassy joined other world leaders to commiserate with the families of victims killed following the tragic earthquake.

“The Kenyan Embassy in Ankara commiserates with the families of the victims killed in the massive earthquake in southern Türkiye, the Government and the people of Türkiye. We wish a quick recovery to the injured and successful rescue of those trapped under rubble,” the embassy stated.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on the other hand, led the government in consoling the affected families following the Turkey earthquake that claimed over 4,300 lives.

“I join the rest of the world in expressing my concerns and extending my deepest condolences to the affected people and families, and the government of Turkey,” Duale wrote.

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).

Following the tragic incident, various agencies and governments deployed personnel to help the two countries retrieve bodies and offer emergency services to affected people.