Turkish youth and sports minister Mehmet Muharram Qasab Oglu announced on Monday the suspension of all sports activities, especially the Turkish League after the strong earthquake that rocked Turkey. A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, toppling buildings and killing at least 641 people. With hundreds upon hundreds injured and hundreds more believed trapped under rubble, the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers combed through rubble in cities and towns across the region. The earthquake has resulted in 284 deaths so far, with 2,323 other people injured and 1,710 facilities destroyed in the outskirts of Turkey, as a result of an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter. The minister said through his official account on "Twitter", "All sports activities that will be held in our country have been suspended until further notice." He added, "All our institutions are on high alert, in coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Department, and I wish everyone safety in our beloved country."
Three scheduled matches expected Monday in the Turkish League, mainly Fenerbahce against Konyaspor have been suspended.