The games of the 1st and 2nd football leagues, which will take place from Thursday to Monday, will be “preceded by a moment of silence” in memory of the victims of the earthquake in Turkey, the Portuguese professional football league said on Tuesday.
“As a mark of respect for the victims of the earthquakes that have occurred, the Portuguese League announces that the games that will take place from 9 to 13 February will be preceded by a minute of silence,” the professional football union said in a statement.
On his official page, the President of the League, Pedro Proenza, also expressed his sympathy to all those affected by the “catastrophe”, which has already killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
“We offer our most sincere condolences and a message of strength to all those affected by this disaster. I leave a special hug to all Portuguese and players who have gone through professional football,” said Pedro Proenza, quoted by the League.
The earthquake struck at dawn on Monday, 33 km from the provincial capital of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey, near the border with Syria, at a depth of 17.9 km.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was recorded with a magnitude of 7.8, dozens of aftershocks were felt, one of which was a magnitude of at least 7.6.
The preliminary balance has increased to more than five thousand deaths, while rescue efforts are taking place on the ruins of collapsed buildings in both countries.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Tuesday that the death toll in Turkey has risen to 3,419 and that 20,534 people have been injured, while Syria confirmed 1,602 deaths on Tuesday.