Live updates: Strong quakes kill over three thousand across Türkiye, Syria

Monday, February 06, 2023

A significant earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck southern Türkiye and northwestern Syria, killing over three thousand individuals as buildings collapsed and triggering a seek for survivors trapped within the rubble.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) stated that the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4:17 am (0117 GMT) and was centred within the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province on Monday.

AFAD earlier up to date the depth of the quake, which occurred at a depth of seven kilometres (4.3 miles), from 7.4 to 7.7 magnitude at 0955 GMT. 

At least 2,316 individuals have been reported killed in Türkiye, with 13,293 others injured within the quakes that destroyed 6,217 buildings, in line with Orhan Tatar, the General Director of Earthquake and Risk Reduction at AFAD.

Meanwhile, some 7,840 individuals have been rescued from the rubble.

Later within the day, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced seven days of nationwide mourning. The quakes affected 10 cities the place a complete of roughly 13.5 million individuals reside.

The quake was adopted by 185 aftershocks, together with two magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 quakes that struck southeastern Gaziantep province, and extra are anticipated, in line with Tatar.

In Syria, regime and rescue officers reported that just about 1,300 individuals have been killed and over 2,400 others have been wounded.

Here are the most recent developments:

2025 GMT – Death toll from Türkiye quakes mounts

At least 2,316 individuals have been killed and 13,293 others injured within the sequence of quakes that destroyed 6,217 buildings in southern Türkiye.

AFAD Earthquake and Risk Reduction chief Orhan Tatar introduced the most recent demise toll. He stated some 7,840 individuals have been rescued.

1958 GMT – Biden, Erdogan to talk ‘very quickly’ following quakes

US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to talk following the earthquakes that introduced widespread destruction to southeastern Türkiye.

The leaders “will have an opportunity to speak very soon,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre advised reporters.

Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to precise Washington’s condolences, and emphasised the US is “determined to provide any and all assistance to help those affected by these earthquakes.”

1935 GMT – TRNC declares seven-day nationwide mourning

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar has introduced 7 days of nationwide mourning resulting from earthquakes that devastated southeastern Türkiye.

Tatar declared the mourning interval would final from right this moment till Monday, in solidarity with the motherland Türkiye, whereas talking on state tv BRT.

Following Tatar’s assertion, flags have been lowered at half-mast throughout the TRNC.

1910 GMT – Death toll climbs over 1,700

Top AFAD official Orhan Tatar has introduced that the demise toll in Türkiye quakes rose to at the very least 1,762 individuals.

12,068 others have been wounded, Tatar added.

1855 GMT – AFAD gives account of rescue and reduction efforts

Türkiye’s catastrophe company has reported {that a} whole of 9,698 search and rescue personnel have been assigned to earthquake-hit areas of the nation.

The variety of personnel from AFAD Volunteers and Support Teams assigned to the area is 9876, with 216 automobiles, and 1,511 building gear, it stated.

A complete of round $18.6 million (350 million Turkish liras) was despatched to 9 provinces within the catastrophe space, it added. A complete of 73 groups from 60 nations additionally despatched support.

1830 GMT – Rescue efforts proceed after Türkiye quakes

Some 6,645 individuals have been rescued from the rubble after large earthquakes and 185 aftershocks tore down 5,606 buildings in Türkiye’s southern provinces, AFAD’s earthquake and threat discount chief Orhan Tatar stated.

Nearly 9,700 search and rescue personnel have been assigned to the area, and about $13.3 million (250 million Turkish liras) in emergency funds had been despatched to the provinces within the catastrophe space thus far, he added.

As a “purely precautionary decision,” the Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Company (BOTAS) stopped the stream of crude oil within the area, in line with Tatar.

1737 GMT – Türkiye declares seven-day mourning interval

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced a seven-day nationwide mourning interval after the earthquakes that killed scores throughout the nation’s southern provinces.

“Due to the earthquakes that took place in our country on February 6, 2023, a seven-day national mourning period has been declared,” Erdogan stated on Twitter.

“Our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until sunset on Sunday, 12 February 2023, in all our local and foreign representations,” he added.

1725 GMT – Death toll climbs additional

Türkiye’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has introduced that the demise toll from the earthquakes rose to 1,651 individuals.

In a press release alongside top-level officers together with Defence Chief Hulusi Akar, Koca stated 11,119 others have been injured.

Vahit Kirisci, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, stated efforts have been additionally beneath approach to shield and supply reduction to animals within the quake areas.

1713 GMT – Greece, Austria be a part of quake reduction efforts in Türkiye

Greece, Austria, Italy and Switzerland have joined the nations collaborating in rescue and reduction efforts in southern Türkiye within the wake of the devastating earthquakes.

21 Greek firefighters with search and rescue experience will arrive in Türkiye on Monday, accompanied by medical doctors and the pinnacle of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, in addition to medical and humanitarian reduction materials, authorities spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou advised reporters.

Separately, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer introduced on Twitter that Vienna will assist reduction operations with over 80 troopers.

1540 GMT – Turkish VP briefs on quake casualties

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has introduced that the present demise toll from a sequence of highly effective earthquakes centred in southeastern Türkiye rose to at the very least 1,541 individuals.

At least 9,733 others have been injured, and a complete of three,471 buildings collapsed.

There have been 145 aftershocks, 15 of which had a magnitude between 5 and 6, and 4 over a magnitude of 6.

1517 GMT – UN holds minute of silence after Türkiye, Syria quake

The United Nations General Assembly has noticed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed greater than 2,300 individuals in Türkiye and Syria.

“Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in a press release.

“We count on the international community to help the thousands of families hit by this disaster, many of whom were already in dire need of humanitarian aid in areas where access is a challenge,” he added.

1336 GMT – Death toll will increase in Türkiye quakes

In its newest replace, AFAD has reported that at the very least 1,498 individuals have been killed and eight,533 others injured within the large earthquake, which collapsed 2,834 buildings.

1240 GMT – Nearly 10,000 personnel concerned in rescue operations: AFAD

AFAD has reported {that a} whole of 9,698 search and rescue personnel and 216 automobiles have been deployed within the quake-affected area.

A complete of 300,000 blankets, 19,772 tents, 24,172 beds, 47,176 pillow-sheet units and 1,106 kitchen units have been despatched to the area, AFAD stated on Twitter.

Catering automobiles, cellular kitchens and ovens have been additionally amongst reduction efforts.

1214 GMT – Earthquake demise toll rises to 1,014

AFAD reported that the demise toll from the 7.7 magnitude quake that struck the nation’s southern area early on Monday has risen to 1,014.

1154 GMT – New highly effective quake ignites panic in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaras province

Dozens of aftershocks and separate earthquakes have been recorded following a robust earthquake that hit Türkiye.

A magnitude 7.6 quake in Kahramanmaras province triggered panic amongst rescuers. 

TRT Haber was filming the search and rescue operations when the robust tremor was felt. 

1145 GMT – Almost 600 reported killed, greater than a thousand injured in Syria

At least 592 individuals have been killed in Syria as buildings collapsed after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring Türkiye earlier than daybreak, state media and rescuers stated.

The quake killed at the very least 371 individuals and left at the very least one other 1,089 injured in regime-controlled elements of Syria, together with the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, the official news company SANA reported, citing the well being ministry.

In opposition-held elements of the northwest of the nation, at the very least 221 individuals have been killed and at the very least one other 419 have been injured, rescue staff stated.

1052 GMT – A brand new 7.6-magnitude earthquake has hit southeast Türkiye, in line with AFAD.

AFAD stated the quake’s epicentre was in Kahramanmaras province.

1047 GMT – Major earthquakes that hit Türkiye in latest historical past

1038 GMT – Earthquake demise toll in Syria rises to 473

Syria has reported that the demise toll from the highly effective quake that hit the nation and neighbouring Türkiye has risen to 473.

The quake killed at the very least 326 individuals and left at the very least one other 1,042 injured in regime-controlled elements of Syria, together with the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, regime media reported.

In opposition-held elements of the northwest of the nation, at the very least 147 individuals have been killed and greater than 340 have been injured, rescue staff stated.

1020 GMT – Türkiye quake demise toll rises to 912 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the demise toll from the quake that hit the nation’s southern area early on Monday has risen to 912.

The president additionally reported that 5,383 individuals have been injured, whereas over 2,000 individuals have been saved from the rubble.

1000 GMT – Intensity of the Türkiye quake revised upwards to magnitude 7.7

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has revised upwards the depth of the earthquake that hit the nation on Monday morning to magnitude 7.7. 

AFAD initially stated early on Monday {that a} 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4:17 am (0117 GMT) and was centred in Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province.

0955 GMT – Russia to ship rescue groups to Türkiye

Russia says it’s readying rescue groups to fly to Türkiye to assist earthquake victims there and in neighbouring Syria.

A minister of emergency conditions, Aleksandr Kurenkov, stated groups of 100 search and rescue personnel are on standby to be despatched to Türkiye with two Il-76 transport planes.

0949 GMT – Quake aftermath in Syria

Journalist Mustafa al Saroot studies from northern Syria’s Idlib on the devastation the quakes had on the realm. 

There have been at the very least 380 individuals reported killed in regime-controlled and opposition-controlled areas of Syria.

0918 GMT – Hundreds of buildings destroyed after highly effective quake

Nearly 900 buildings have been destroyed in Türkiye’s Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras provinces, stated Vice President Fuat Oktay.

A hospital collapsed within the Mediterranean coastal metropolis of Iskanderoun, however casualties weren’t instantly identified, he stated.

0818 GMT – Opposition-held areas in Syria report 120 demise toll

The demise toll in regime-held areas of Syria climbed to 237 with greater than 630 injured, in line with Syrian regime media. 

At least 120 individuals have been killed in opposition-held areas, in line with the White Helmets.

Buildings have been reported collapsed in a cross-border swath extending from Syria’s cities of Aleppo and Hama.

0803 GMT – Ceyhan oil terminal halts ops after Türkiye quake

Operations at Türkiye’s oil terminal in Ceyhan have halted after a significant earthquake struck close by, the Tribeca transport company stated, including that an emergency assembly will happen on the difficulty.

Türkiye’s pipeline operator BOTAS stated there have been no damages on important pipelines.

0724 GMT – Egypt sends condolences to Türkiye, Syria over lethal earthquake

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has provided its honest condolences and solidarity with Türkiye and Syria on the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit each nations

In a press release, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed its readiness to offer assist in the face of the horrible earthquake disaster.

0729 GMT – Death toll in Türkiye jumps to 284 and a couple of,323 injured: Turkish Vice President

At least 284 individuals have been killed and a couple of,323 others injured in 10 provinces after a robust earthquake jolted southern Türkiye on Monday morning, Vice President Fuat Oktay stated.

A complete of 1,710 buildings have been collapsed after the earthquake, Oktay stated at a news convention.

“Our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) has been following and managing the event since the moment of the earthquake,” Oktay stated.

He added that Hatay Airport is at present closed to flights, saying they’ve additionally closed Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep to civil flights.

0709 GMT – Israeli president presents condolences over losses in Türkiye earthquake

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has provided condolences over the lack of lives and infrastructures within the earthquake and asserted that “Israel always stands ready to assist in every way possible.”

“On behalf of the Israeli people, I am deeply saddened by the enormous disaster that has befallen Türkiye following last night’s earthquake,” Herzog tweeted. “My condolences to President Erdogan and the Turkish people for the loss of life and destruction of livelihoods.”

0657 GMT – TRNC voices sorrow over lethal earthquake

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has despatched condolences to Türkiye after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit southern and southeastern provinces of the nation.

“On behalf of myself and my people, I convey my best wishes to the motherland Türkiye. Our hearts were broken. Our sadness is great,” President Ersin Tatar stated on Twitter.

0651 GMT – Azerbaijan voices solidarity, resulting from ship search and rescue crew to Türkiye

Azerbaijan is because of ship a search and rescue crew of 370 individuals to Türkiye, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations introduced.

President Ilham Aliyev stated in a condolence message to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Azerbaijan is “deeply saddened by the news of the loss of life and destruction as a result of the severe earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaras, and felt in many parts of brotherly Türkiye.”

0627 GMT – Ukraine prepared to offer assist to ‘pleasant’ Türkiye

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that his nation was prepared to offer obligatory help to “friendly” Turkish individuals within the aftermath of the earthquake.

“Shocked by the news about the death and injury of hundreds of people as a result of the earthquake in Türkiye,” Zelenskyy stated on Twitter.

“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery. We are in this moment close to the friendly Turkish people, ready to provide the necessary assistance.”

0613 GMT – Italy downgrades tsunami warning after earthquake

Italian authorities have downgraded a tsunami warning for southern Italy that had been raised after a significant earthquake struck central Türkiye and northwest Syria.

0520 GMT – US is able to present ‘any and all help’

“The United States is profoundly concerned by the reports of today’s destructive earthquake in Türkiye and Syria,” US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan stated in a press release.

“We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance,” he said, adding that President Joe Biden has directed USAID and other federal government partners to “assess US response options to help those most affected.”

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the government of Türkiye,” Sullivan stated.

0550 GMT – More than 110 lifeless in Syria in up to date toll: ministry

More than 110 individuals have been killed within the earthquake, in line with state media citing the well being ministry.

“516 injuries and 111 deaths recorded in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus,” the ministry stated in a press release. 

Earlier, an area hospital advised AFP news company at the very least eight have been killed within the northern areas — bringing the nation’s whole to at the very least 119 lifeless. 

0447 GMT – Turkish inside minister says all rescue groups mobilised

The preliminary quake was centred in Kahramanmaras province’s Pazarcik district and affected provinces Hatay, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, Diyarbakir and Kilis, in line with Türkiye’s Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu.

“A 7.4 magnitude is seriously destructive,” Soylu advised reporters.

“At the moment, all our governors are at the head of their duties. Gendarmerie, police, Turkish Armed Forces, disaster and emergency teams, Turkish Red Crescent and search and rescue teams from all over the country are being dispatched to the region,” he stated.

0216 GMT – 7.4-magnitude earthquake jolts Türkiye’s Kahramanmaras province

A powerful earthquake jolted Türkiye’s southern province of Kahramanmaras, in line with the nation’s catastrophe company.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) stated the 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4:17 am (0117GMT) and was centred in Pazarcik district. The quake occurred at a depth of seven kilometres (4.3 miles).

The preliminary quake was adopted by two highly effective aftershocks measured at magnitude 6.4 and 6.5 that struck southeastern Gaziantep province.

Source: TRTWorld and companies