Turkey completes new homes in area hit by devastating earthquake

(Patria) - Turkey has handed over the keys of newly completed homes to some of those left homeless after last year's devastating earthquake, a year after the deadliest disaster in its modern history, Reuters reported.

The powerful earthquakes on February 6, 2023, in southern Turkey killed more than 50,000 people in 11 provinces and left millions homeless.

"Today we are delivering 7,275 houses in Hatay... We will gradually deliver 40,000 houses across the region as their construction is completed," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a ceremony in Hatay, the province hardest hit by the earthquakes.

In the next two months, about 75,000 houses will be handed over, Erdogan said, adding that the government plans to hand over a total of 200,000 houses this year.

About 680,000 homes were destroyed in the earthquake, Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki told reporters on Friday, adding that 390,000 families have been registered to receive houses to be built there.

"Tenders for 200,000 apartments have been completed, and some of them are under construction. Some are finished and deliveries will be made soon. The tender process for about 100,000 apartments is ongoing," he said.

After the earthquake, Erdogan promised 319,000 new homes by February 2024 and a total of 680,000 a year later.