On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 and its epicenter was located at Turkey’s Gaziantep province near the Syrian border. The earthquake struck at around 4:17 PM local time at a depth of 11 miles, including the cities of Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey and Damascus in Syria. The second earthquake struck at around 1:24 PM local time at a depth of 6 miles in Turkey’s Kahramanmaras as province according to USGS(United State Geological Survey).
AFTERMATH:
The initial impact of the earthquake was severe, with buildings collapsing, roads cracking, and people rushing out into the streets in panic. The tremors were felt for several minutes, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in both countries. In Turkey, the city of Gaziantep was particularly hard hit, with reports of widespread devastation and multiple buildings collapsing whereas Syria’s war-torn city of Aleppo was worst affected by this deadly earthquake. The authorities responded quickly to the disaster, with rescue teams being deployed to the affected areas. The Turkish military also sent troops and equipment to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts.
MEASURES TAKEN BY THE AUTHORITIES:
The Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca release a statement, which announced:
- Hospitals in the affected areas had been put on high alert, with medical teams working around the clock to provide assistance to the injured.
- Around 813 ambulances along with 227 UMKE teams were sent in impacted areas (UMKE team are catastrophe-relief workers coordinated by the health ministry).
- The government will also set up emergency shelters for those who had lost their homes, with the Turkish Red Crescent providing essential supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies.
In Syria, the situation was equally dire, with reports of widespread damage and people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Syria already bears the scars of brutal war, food shortages, economic collapse, recent cholera outbreak and now suddenly hit by the worst earthquake in decades. The Syrian government also declared a state of emergency and sent teams of rescue workers and medical personnel to the affected areas. Despite the ongoing conflict in the country, the international community rallied to provide assistance, with many countries offering to send teams of experts and supplies to help in the country’s relief efforts. Russia sent 300 military personnel to help in search and rescue operations, providing medical assistance and clearing up the debris.
President Vladimir Putin had talked with Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and assured them that they have Russia’s full support in rebuilding themselves from the wrath of this destructive earthquake.
As the rescue and recovery efforts continued, the full extent of the damage began to emerge. The earthquake had claimed the lives of thousands of people, with the death toll continuing to rise at 6,376 people (In Turkey: 4,544 dead and at least 22,168 injured, In Syria: 1,832 dead and at least 4,232 injured). In addition, many more were left homeless.
CONCLUSION:
In the aftermath of the disaster, the international community continued to offer support and assistance to Turkey and Syria. Aid agencies, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent, dispatched teams to the affected areas, providing medical care and essential supplies to those in need. The international community also made financial contributions to the relief efforts, nearly 30 countries and organizations including WHO, India, Russia, Poland, Greece, Spain, Taiwan, Israel etc announced donations to help cover the costs of the response.
In conclusion, the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, was a devastating event that had a deep impact on the lives of those affected. Despite the initial chaos and destruction, the response of the Turkish and Syrian authorities, as well as the international community, was rapid and effective, providing critical assistance to those in need. The recovery and rebuilding process will be a long and difficult one, but with the continued support of the international community, it is hoped that the affected communities will be able to rebuild and recover soon.
For more live updates visit:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/02/07/turkey-syria-earthquake-live-updates/
[…] Earthquake That Shook Two Nations […]