Rescue operations are ongoing at the earthquake scene in Turkey (Photo: AFP). A Nigerian student in Turkey, Olasupo Caleb, told our correspondent in Abuja that students in the transcontinental country were warned of an impending earthquake in 2022. Olasupo, a political‑science student at Gaziosmanpaşa University, also serves as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Turkey.
The reports indicate that a massive earthquake on Monday killed thousands of people across a swathe of Turkey. The magnitude 7.8 quake brought down whole apartment blocks in several Turkish cities and has been described as the worst tremor to strike Turkey in the 21st century. “Ten provinces were affected,” Olasupo said. “This is the first time many Nigerian students are experiencing such tremors, but since last year we have been practicing the earthquake precautions announced by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in Turkey. Nigerian students here are safe, although many are still scared of what might happen. As a union, we have reached out to students in the affected areas and continue to monitor the situation. We have urged all our students to remain calm and follow the precautions laid down by local authorities and AFAD.”
Olasupo added that a precautionary training was organized in 2022 by the Turkish government. “We were warned last year. In fact, a day was set by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency for a training session, and we told all Nigerian students to participate,” he explained.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Turkey. The country sits on the Anatolian plate, which borders two major fault lines: the North Anatolian Fault, stretching across the country from west to east, and the East Anatolian Fault in eastern Turkey.
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