Ambassador of Abkhazia denied data on the number of compatriots killed in Syria
Civil-defense workers and residents search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Harem, Syria.
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― According to the Media Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bagrat Khutaba, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Abkhazia to Syria, has denied reports that 12 Abkhazian compatriots were killed in an earthquake.
The representative of Abkhazia in Syria emphasized that the diplomatic mission would provide any necessary information through the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry if required.
"The Embassy of Abkhazia in Syria has confirmed that no representatives of the Abkhazian diaspora or other fraternal ethnic Caucasian peoples living in the Syrian Arab Republic were injured," he said.
Bagrat Khutaba, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Abkhazia to Syria, stated that the natural disaster resulted in the deaths of numerous Syrian citizens. He emphasized that the diplomatic department maintains regular communication with the foreign affairs ministries of Abkhazia and Syria, as well as relevant Syrian departments, including the Adyghe-Khase association.
The ambassador added that the diplomatic department receives daily updates and is prepared to offer any necessary information through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.
Earlier, Vadim Kharazia, the head of the Abkhaz Repatriation Fund, stated that 12 Abkhaz compatriots from the Leiba family lost their lives in the earthquake that occurred on February 6th.
As per the latest figures released by both Turkey and Syria, the death toll resulting from the earthquakes that struck earlier this month has exceeded 50,000.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkey confirmed that 44,218 people lost their lives due to the earthquakes. Meanwhile, the latest reported death toll in Syria stands at 5,914.