“Almost all” Georgians missing in Turkey quake found alive - Ambassador

Giorgi Janjgava, the Georgian Ambassador to Turkey, on Tuesday said nearly all Georgian citizens missing following Turkey’s devastating quake on Monday had been found alive. 

The diplomat told the media one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in a century had claimed the lives of two Georgian nationals, along with more than 4,300 citizens of other countries who died in Turkey and Syria during the tremors. 

• 60 Georgian rescuers to aid in Turkey earthquake efforts

The Ambassador and the Georgian Football Federation also confirmed Georgian players and referees involved in the Turkish league and located in the country were all safe. 

Janjgava also urged Georgian citizens in the disaster zone to contact the country’s diplomatic missions in Ankara, Istanbul or Trabzon to receive aid. 

The Georgian Foreign Ministry on Monday opened four hotlines to ensure help for the country’s citizens following the major quake. 

• Georgia’s foreign office opens hotlines for citizens affected by Turkey earthquake

The Georgian Embassy in Ankara is operating two of the hotlines, on the numbers +905336903040 and +905392208280, while the General Consulate in Istanbul is accepting calls through the number +905418184400 and the General Consulate in Trabzon on +905413262226.

In the latest figures released on Tuesday, at least 2,921 people were killed in Turkey and more than 15,800 others injured, while in neighbouring Syria, at least 1,451 people have died.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck at 4:17 a.m. on Monday, with tremors felt as far away as Lebanon and Israel. 

More than 60 aftershocks have been recorded so far, including a major one at 7.5 magnitude.