The Portuguese government is accompanying the Portuguese to Turkey, being in contact with six young people who were there under the Erasmus program and are safe, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry said.
Through the Portuguese embassy in Ankara and the consular emergency department, the Portuguese MNE said on Tuesday that “it is closely monitoring the situation of Portuguese citizens in the region, paying attention to the strong earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria. “.
The quake registered on Monday, followed by strong tremors, has already killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands injured and thousands homeless due to the icy cold that is being felt in the region, but the number is still preliminary.
Earthquakes measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale destroyed thousands of buildings in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
The MNE said in a statement that the Portuguese embassy in Ankara “has identified the Portuguese in the region and is currently locating them, taking all possible steps, with communications and electricity still not working in some areas. “.
“The Portuguese Embassy in Ankara contacted a group of six young Portuguese who were on the Erasmus + program accompanied by two teachers, confirming that they are safe and are now looking for a safe way to leave the country,” he added. . . .
Communication channels were strengthened: the Portuguese Embassy in Ankara provided a mobile phone number (+90 532 605 13 57) and created a WhatsApp group.
The MNE informs that in case of difficulties, Portuguese citizens can also report their case by e-mail [email protected] or by phone + 351 217 929 714 | + 351 961 706 472.
According to information posted by MNE on Portal das Comunidades, “non-essential travel to and within Turkey” is not recommended.
The MNE encourages Portuguese citizens in the country to follow the recommendations of the local authorities, namely civil protection, and contact the Portuguese Embassy in Ankara.
According to the Emigration Observatory, there were 284 Portuguese living in Turkey in 2020.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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