Over 2,300 dead in Turkey quake

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2023

editor

A rescue operation is under way across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 2,300 people.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep.

A new 7.5-magnitude tremor hit at around 13:30 local time (10:30 GMT), which officials said was “not an aftershock”.

The country’s disaster agency says some 1,500 people were killed in Turkey alone after the first quake, and more than 5,300 were wounded.

Syrian authorities are reporting 810 dead and more than 2,000 injured, according to the AFP news agency.

Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after hundreds of buildings collapsed in both countries.

World leaders have pledged to send aid after Turkey issued an international appeal for help.

Millions of people across Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel felt the earthquake.

(BBC News)

Sri Lanka Railways GM passes away

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Railways General Manager H. M. K. W. Bandara passed away today (23) due to a sudden illness.

He was appointed as the railways chief in November 2023.

Chinese communist party vice minister Sun Haiyan visits Sri Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

editor

Vice Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, Sun Haiyan, is set to arrive in Sri Lanka today for a two-day official visit, as reported by The Thinakaran Newspaper.

During her visit, Sun Haiyan is scheduled to engage in discussions with high-ranking government officials, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The discussions are anticipated to cover various bilateral matters of mutual interest between China and Sri Lanka.

Two killed in police shooting following failed checkpoint stop

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

editor

Two people died in police fire on Tuesday (23) morning.

The Police Media Division said that officers opened fire at a three wheeler that failed to comply with orders to stop at a checkpoint near the Meegoda – Delketiya junction.

The incident took place at around 1:50 AM.

Sri Lanka Police said that after officers ordered the three wheeler to stop, the driver had slowed down the vehicle, and those inside had opened fire at the police and fled to Moragahahena.

Accordingly, the Moragahahena Police was immediately informed of the shooting.

A group of officers from the Colombo South Crimes Division who were at the Moragahahena Police for a separate inquiry upon hearing the incident had attempted to stop the three wheeler from fleeing.

The three wheeler that continued to disregard orders to stop had proceeded to the Tyre Factory located along the Meepe Road in Moragahahena, where shots were fired at them by officers from the Colombo South Crimes Division.

Sri Lanka Police said two people who were injured in the shooting succumbed to their injuries upon admission to hospital.

Another person who was in the three wheeler had fled the scene.

The deceased were 42 and 35 year old males from Thanamalvila.

Police said a firearm was also recovered from the three wheeler’

(newsfirst.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)