Rescuers continue to search for the victims in the city of Izmir, Turkey on October, 30, 2020 (Xinhua/VNA)

Much of the damage in Turkey occurred in and around the city of Izmir, which has three million residents and is filled with high-rise apartment blocks. Rescuers continue to search for the victims on Saturday. Pictures on social media show the panorama view of the island of Samos, which is closest to the quake, stirring the fear that the numbers of deaths are likely to rise. Search and rescue operations continue to look for victims under the debris of collapsed buildings.

U N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed his sadness over the loss of life and damage caused by the powerful earthquake in the Aegean Sea and extended his condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of Greece and Turkey. The UN stands ready to assist if required, he added. The US and French governments offered to provide assistance to both Turkey and Greece.