"A number of young athletes" among earthquake victims as IOC promises help

07 February 2023 , 13:07

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International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has promised they are "ready to help in whatever way we can" (Image: Getty Images)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have vowed to "help in whatever way we can" after a series of earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, with "a number of young athletes among the victims".

A huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday and was followed by another 7.5 magnitude quake hours later. A third tremor hit on Tuesday morning at a magnitude of 5.7, with the total number of deaths now rising to almost 5,000.

International search and rescue teams have been racing against time across Turkey and Syria to help look for survivors amid testing conditions and fears the death toll could grow further. British Foreign ­Secretary James ­Cleverly said it was “too early” to say if other Brits are among the dead or injured while Lib Dem Lord Bruce of Bennachie called the quake “truly ­apocalyptic”.

And IOC president Thomas Bach has promised the organisation are "ready to help in whatever way we can". He said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the IOC has learned of the tragic loss of life and the devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the south-eastern region of Turkey and Syria.

"Our hearts go out to all the families of the athletes who died or those who have been impacted while they were taking part in sporting competitions in the affected area.

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"The circumstances of this natural disaster are all the more tragic, as there appears to be a number of young athletes among the victims.

"Our sympathies also lie with those who are working tirelessly to assist in these rescue operations.

Buildings across Tukey and Syria have been decimated (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The historical Yeni Mosque in Malataya was badly damaged (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"The Olympic Movement stands ready to help in whatever way we can, as sport can play an important role in the rebuilding of communities and in helping people normalise their lives."

Freestyle wrestler Taha Akgul, who won gold for Turkey at 2016 Olympics and Bronze at the 2020 Games, issued a desperate plea for "urgent help" on social media after the building where his wrestling club is based was "demolished", leaving 30-40 wrestlers trapped "under the rubble".

In a post on his Instagram story, Akgul wrote: "The building where 30-40 of our wrestlers stay in the wrestling club in Kahramanmaraş has also been demolished… Our athletes are under the rubble. We are waiting for urgent help. Help me, my God!"

Matthew Cooper