“We are mobilized, we are working together”

Turkey’s main opposition CHP’s leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said they are mobilized to rescue those affected by the major earthquake that hit southern party of the country.

"We are mobilized, we are working together. I hope we will not lose many lives. We really owe our gratitude to the rescue teams," Kilicdaroglu said in a press briefing in capital Ankara on Monday.

“We are indeed facing a big problem. Our greatest desire is not to experience such pain again. Of course, Turkey is a strong country and will heal all its wounds,” he said.

At least 1,498 people were killed and 8,533 injured in two major earthquakes that struck Southern Turkey on Monday.

Kahramanmaras province was the epicenter of both quakes, first with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale on 04:17 a.m. local time and the second with a magnitude of 7.6 on 01:24 p.m. local time.

Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay and Kilis provinces were also severely affected by the earthquake.

CHP leader said that a vice president was appointed to each province where the earthquake has hit.

“They are in the region with our MPs,” he said.

“Today, is a unity day. It is actually a day to put a strong will to be together to solve our problems,” Kilicdaroglu said, adding that he will go to the earthquake region as soon as possible.

CHP leader also said that he requested an appointment from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), but has not received a response yet.