The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria is rising rapidly, with many people still trapped under the rubble.
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that at least 2,379 people have died in the earthquake that struck southeastern Kahramanmaraş province on February 6, while neighboring Syria has also recorded 1,444 fatalities.
Rescue workers at a collapsed site in Hatay, Turkey, after the earthquake on the morning of February 6. (Photo: AFP).
The casualty figures are likely to continue rising as many individuals remain trapped under the debris. The cold and damp weather in the area is hindering rescue efforts. Authorities have urged residents to evacuate buildings to ensure safety amid the risk of aftershocks, despite the severe weather conditions.
AFAD previously indicated that a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck at 4:17 AM (8:17 AM Hanoi time) in the Pazarcik district near the city of Kahramanmaraş. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.8, with a strong aftershock of 6.7 occurring 15 minutes later. This is one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the region in nearly a century.
Both American and European geological agencies reported an additional earthquake measuring 7.6-7.7 magnitude near the town of Ekinozu in Kahramanmaraş province on the afternoon of February 6, with its epicenter located 7 km deep. The extent of damage and casualties from this earthquake is still unclear. Syrian state media reported that the earthquake was felt in the capital Damascus in the southwest of the country.
Turkish authorities have deployed rescue teams and aircraft to the area around Kahramanmaraş and have called for international assistance.
“I send my best wishes to those affected by the earthquake. I hope we will soon overcome this disaster with the least possible damage,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wrote on Twitter.
Epicenter of the earthquake in Turkey early on February 6. (Graphic: Reuters).
Turkey is one of the countries most frequently affected by earthquakes worldwide. In 1999, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Izmit, southeast of Istanbul, resulting in over 17,000 deaths. In 2011, another earthquake occurred in the eastern city of Van, claiming more than 500 lives.
