Ismail Yusuf, the ambassador of Nigeria to the Republic of Turkey, stated that no Nigerians had been found among the victims of the earthquake that struck some Turkish cities.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Yusuf made this statement.
He says that the Embassy is keeping track of the whereabouts of every Nigerian citizen who has been registered in the nation.
According to NAN, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck some cities in southeast Turkey in the early morning hours of February 6.
President Recep Erdogan said the earthquake was the worst disaster the country had experienced in 84 years.
Yusuf said rescue efforts were ongoing and there had been no report of any Nigerian casualty living in the affected region as at the time of speaking to NAN.
“Early morning on Monday at 4.17 a.m. local time, Turkiye was hit by 6.5 to 7.8 magnitude earthquakes across the cities of Malatya, Sanliurfa, Osmaniye, Diyarbakir and Gaziantep.
“We have no information of any Nigeria amongst the victims so far.
“This is work in progress. We are doing the best we can in the circumstance. Rescue efforts are progressing systematically, and in stages.
“It is too early to provide any specifics on the outcome of rescue and related matters, including census because the seven affected cities are mostly in ruins and many people are still trapped in several buildings.
“Furthermore, the rescue efforts are being slowed down by the seething winter, with snow everywhere,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf said President Muhammadu Buhari had commiserated with the government and people of Turkey, pledging Nigeria’s support and solidarity.
The government of Turkey had declared a national emergency in the country, soliciting international aid and humanitarian assistance.
Over 3,400 people have been killed in the quake in Turkey, thousands injured, with rescue operations still ongoing.
While over 2,000 people have also been reported dead in Syria, which was also hit by the quake.