On February 6, 2023, a massive earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and parts of northern Syria, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The earthquake, which had a magnitude of at least 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), struck at 4:17 TRT (1:17 UTC) and was centered 34 km (21 mi) west of the city of Gaziantep.
This earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, including a powerful Mww 7.5 earthquake nine hours after the main quake.
The devastating event has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, with over 20,319 deaths reported as of February 9, including 16,546 in Turkey and 3,868 in Syria.
The earthquake caused structural damage in neighboring countries such as Israel, Lebanon, and Cyprus, and resulted in widespread destruction in the affected regions in Turkey and Syria.
The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency, and rescue workers are tirelessly searching for survivors and providing aid to those in need.
Unfortunately, rescue efforts have been hampered by a winter storm that dropped snow on the ruins and brought plummeting temperatures.
The freezing temperatures in the affected areas have put survivors, especially those trapped under debris, at great risk of hypothermia.
In Syria, the earthquake has added to the already dire humanitarian situation, as the country continues to recover from years of civil war and violence. The quake has severely damaged the country’s infrastructure and left many in need of assistance.
Turkey And Syria Earthquake Death Toll
The situation for hundreds of thousands of people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria is growing increasingly dire, as the hope of finding more survivors dwindles.
The earthquake, which struck the region on February 6, 2023, was the deadliest natural disaster since 1999, when a similarly powerful earthquake killed over 17,000 people in Turkey.
According to the latest information released by the governments of Turkey and Syria, the death toll has now risen to 19,746, with 16,546 confirmed deaths in Turkey and over 3,200 in Syria.
However, the data from Syria may not be accurate, as it takes into account the figures provided by the national government and by rescue groups operating in the northwest of the country, which is controlled by jihadists and rebels.
Despite the passage of more than 80 hours since the earthquake, search teams are still managing to rescue people from the rubble. A 2-year-old boy, Mert Tatar, was rescued in the city of Hatay, Turkey, and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Heartwarming stories of rescues, including that of a newborn who was born under rubble hours after the earthquake and taken out alive, have emerged in the wake of the tragedy. However, the death toll continues to rise and already exceeds 17,000, matching the death toll from the 1999 earthquake.
The UN estimates that the total number of victims could reach 40,000. The number of confirmed deaths in Turkey is 14,014, while the number in Syria stands at just over 3,000, taking into account the figures provided by the national government and by rescue groups operating in the northwest of the country.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the victims and to all those affected by this devastating disaster. This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
