These images show the devastating consequences of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6.
According to the latest updated figures from The Guardian, over 3,800 people have lost their lives following two earthquakes in the border region between Turkey and Syria. The number continues to rise as rescue teams work tirelessly to assist the victims.
In less than 24 hours, the disaster has plunged thousands of people into grief and hardship.
The earthquake shook eastern Anatolia (Turkey), destroying ancient fortresses and solid buildings, including the Haji Yusuf Mosque in Malatya and Gaziantep Castle…
The Daily Mail published panoramic images before and after the earthquake, highlighting the damage to Gaziantep Castle. This historical monument was originally constructed in the 2nd and 3rd centuries by the Hittite Empire.
The castle has served various purposes over nearly two millennia, including as a Roman castle, an Ottoman fortress, and most recently, a museum, before being damaged and collapsing in the earthquake on the morning of February 6.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reported that at least 2,818 buildings have collapsed due to the earthquake. Residential complexes, home to hundreds of people, have been flattened, leaving behind piles of rubble and debris. Search and rescue teams worked throughout the morning to free trapped residents.
The Haji Yusuf Mosque in Malatya, Turkey, dating back thousands of years, before and after the earthquake on February 6, 2023. The dome of this historic structure suffered severe damage.
Hittite Castle in Gaziantep, built in the 2nd century and used as a fortress by Romans, Byzantines, and Turks for nearly two millennia. It stood firm until it was heavily damaged on the outer walls after the earthquake on February 6.
A multi-story residential building in Gaziantep, Turkey, photographed in October 2022 (left) and subsequently flattened by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
The Latin Church in Iskenderun, the historical city of Alexandretta, located in Hatay Province (Turkey), severely damaged due to the earthquake that shook the region.
High-rise apartment buildings in Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey, in 2020 (left) and subsequently covered by debris.
Images showing residential buildings in the Cukurova district of Adana (Turkey) in April 2021 and rescue operations in the rubble of one of the buildings on February 6.
Ontur Hotel and residential buildings in İskenderun, photographed on a sunny day last November, were later flattened by the earthquake.
From all over the world, people are looking towards the Middle East. Many world leaders are taking initial steps to assist the two countries in overcoming this crisis.
The United Kingdom announced it has sent 76 search and rescue experts, 4 search dogs, and rescue equipment to the Middle East on the evening of February 6. The UK is also dispatching an emergency medical team to assess the situation on the ground. British ministers further stated that they have contacted the United Nations regarding urgent humanitarian assistance for those affected in Syria.
Turkey’s neighboring country, Greece, and other regional nations have offered immediate support to assist in the rescue efforts. “Greece is mobilizing its resources and will provide immediate assistance,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote on Twitter.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement early on February 6, offered help to both Turkey and Syria. Residents in Cairo also felt tremors from the earthquake’s impact.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is ready to provide emergency aid. In Germany, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is preparing to send generators, emergency tents, and blankets. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser mentioned that emergency shelters and water treatment systems could also be sent to Turkey and Syria to assist the victims.
