KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof encountered a harrowing experience during his official trip that included stops in both Turkiye and the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, April 23, a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul, creating a moment of tension for Fadillah and his entourage as they prepared to depart from the city.

In a candid Facebook post, Fadillah recounted the events that unfolded while he and his delegation were at Istanbul Airport. At the time of the earthquake, they were just minutes away from boarding their flight to London, where they would continue their critical official visit to the UK.

As the tremors shook the ground, airport authorities swiftly evacuated the group from the VIP terminal to ensure their safety. Fadillah described the initial tremor as quite strong, providing a glimpse into the anxiety experienced during those moments. Approximately 15 minutes later, as the situation seemed to stabilize, they were instructed to re-enter the building. However, shortly thereafter, a second tremor, although milder than the first, prompted another evacuation, lasting about ten minutes before they were finally permitted to return indoors.

Despite the unsettling experience, Fadillah, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, confirmed that he and the Malaysian delegation safely arrived in London around 4 PM local time. The delegations visit to the UK was significant, following a preceding three-day official engagement in Turkiye, where they had likely discussed various energy-related issues and bilateral cooperation.

In his post, Fadillah expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support and well wishes he received after the earthquake news broke, highlighting the global community's concern during such crises. The earthquake occurred at 12:49 PM local time in the Sea of Marmara, off the coast of Istanbul's Silivri district, an area known for its seismic activity due to the complex geology of the region.

Fadillah is currently leading the Malaysian delegation at the International Energy Agency (IEA) and UK Government-hosted Summit on the Future of Energy Security, which is being held in London from April 24 to 25. This summit is a critical platform for discussing global energy challenges and formulating strategies for future energy security.