Four South Africans in Turkey prison not injured in deadly earthquake – Dirco

• Four South Africans in a Turkey prison did not sustain injuries during the earthquake, says Dirco.
• The department is following developments in the region.
• More than 5 000 people have died since two earthquakes hit the Turkey-Syria border.

Four South Africans detained in a Turkey prison escaped injury during the earthquake in the country, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said.

Speaking to News24 on Tuesday, the department’s spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said the situation in the earthquake-stricken country was being monitored.

“We are aware of four SA prisoners whose prison was affected, but there were no injuries. They’re fine. It’s a developing situation, so we shall continue to monitor it. Our embassy in Ankara is on standby to assist any South African who may require it,” he said. 

According to AFP, the death toll surpassed 5 000 on Tuesday following two earthquakes that hit the Turkey-Syria border on Monday.

The second earthquake, which hit the country’s south-east, measured 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale.

Several non-governmental organisations have deployed their teams to offer search and rescue services in the affected countries. 

ROLLING COVERAGE | 78-magnitude earthquake hits Turkey, Syria

Among these are the Gift of the Givers and five members of the emergency medical sciences department at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

The university department’s acting head, Simphiwe Sobuwa, said the team had the necessary skills to perform urban search and rescue. 

Sobuwa added that the team would earn valuable experience during the mission.

Sobuwa will be travelling alongside Louis Jordaan, Rozaan Norval, Xavier Millar and Raina Gihwala on Tuesday evening.

The team will spend a week in Turkey.