Major earthquake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills thousands

KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey (BP) — A pair of earthquakes and a series of aftershocks have devastated portions of Turkey and Syria.

According to the BBC, more than 2,300 people were known to have been killed by the quakes by noon CST on Monday (Feb. 6).

The significant quakes registered at 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The quake center was in south Turkey near the city of Kahramanmaras. Aftershocks could be felt in Israel, more than 600 miles away. 

World leaders, including President Joe Biden, are pledging to send aid to help in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Southern Baptists are already planning a response.

“Turkey’s disaster agency has appealed for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations, and we thank the Lord that He is allowing Send Relief’s international relief team to respond as initial needs are assessed,” said Paul Chitwood, IMB president.

Chitwood and Bryant Wright, Send Relief president, are calling on believers to pray for those affected by the devastation.

“Please pray that the people who are ministered to will experience the love of Christ in the days ahead,” Bryant Wright said in comments emailed to Baptist Press.

Chitwood took to Twitter to offer some specific ways people can pray:

• Pray for local search teams
• Pray for those needing shelter
• Pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones
• Pray for those displaced during the cold of winter
• Pray for believers to have ministry opportunities
• Pray for Send Relief and responding partners as they have opportunities to help

“The devastation cannot be put into words, and we are praying for the first responders as well as the churches and others who will be bringing relief during this tragic and difficult time,” Wright said.

A page has been set up at Send Relief’s website for people to learn how they can help.

Editor’s note: As of Tuesday morning (Feb. 7), the BBC has reported the death toll in Turkey has risen to 3,549 people. More than 1,600 people are reported to have died in Syria.