The massive earthquake that struck an area over 110,000 square kilometers of the Southern Türkiye on 6 February 2023, causing loss of life of many thousands of persons from many countries and a huge devastation of properties, also resulted in an unfortunate loss of life of a Sri Lankan.
The south eastern region of Türkiye, following the destructive earthquake, has been experiencing many aftershocks and tremors, numbering over 2000 and the death toll has risen to 29,605 and caused injuries to 80,278 persons. President Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and informed that Sri Lanka has been ready to extend all possible assistance to the people of Türkiye at this hour of their insurmountable grief.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara had been working to ascertain the welfare of the sixteen Sri Lankans who were living in the area affected by the earthquake and tremors, in coordination with the Türkiye authorities. It has been confirmed that 15 of them, contacted by the Embassy are safe, while a Sri Lankan female who was living in Hatay/Antakya Province in Türkiye, was reported missing. The Embassy was able to confirm the fate of the Sri Lankan concerned and regrets to inform of the unfortunate death of the missing Sri Lankan. The identity of the deceased Sri Lankan is withheld at the request of the family. Burial of the human remains of the deceased already took place in Hatay/Antakya, in line with regulations imposed by the health authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved daughter and other family members of the deceased.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
14 February 2023
