A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck near the Turkey-Syria border early Monday – 05/02/23. It has caused widespread damage and loss of life. According to official sources, more than 1200 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more injured.
The earthquake hit in the early hours of the morning when many people were asleep in their homes. It was felt as far away as the capital cities of both Turkey and Syria, Buildings and infrastructure were severely damaged, with reports of entire neighborhoods being leveled.
Turkey is located above the key fault line, which is why earthquakes occur frequently. The U.S. Geological Survey measured this earthquake to be of 7.8 magnitudes. Many aftershocks, at least 20, have been reported in the hours following the initial quake. The strongest aftershock was said to be of 6.6 magnitudes. These aftershocks were further complicating rescue efforts and causing additional damage to already weakened buildings.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey this earthquake originated nearly 20 miles (33 km) from Gaziantep. The earthquake was about 11 miles deep. Just when snowstorm is upsetting the Middle East, this powerful earthquake occurred.
Rescue teams and aid organizations have been dispatched to the affected areas to assist with relief efforts. The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected provinces and has sent army units to help with the evacuation and rescue of survivors. The Turkish and Syrian Red Crescent societies are working together to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to those affected by the disaster.
In the early hours of a cold, rainy and snowy winter night, the residents on both sides of the Turkey-Syria border were awakened by the powerful tremors of earthquake. Frightened, they quickly rushed outside their homes. The quake resulted in the collapse of dozens of buildings across the border region.
Amidst the chaos, rescue workers and concerned citizens frantically combed through the rubble of crushed buildings in multiple cities, searching for any survivors. The difficult task was made even harder by the tangled mess of metal and concrete debris left in the wake of the disaster.
The Turkish residents from the quake-stricken regions were trying to flee which resulted in traffic jams. This further delayed emergency teams to reach the affected areas. The authorities appealed to the public to stay off the roads and seek refuge in nearby mosques. Mosques were being opened as shelters for those unable to return to their damaged homes due to the freezing temperatures.
In Diyarbakir, rescue teams asked people to keep quiet as they listened for any signs of life under the wreckage of a collapsed 11-story building. The tense scene was filled with the sounds of anxious onlookers and the determined efforts of the rescue workers. One man was eventually pulled from the rubble, carried away on a stretcher to the relief of the gathered crowd. A gray-haired woman wailed in distress, while a rescue worker in a white helmet tried to comfort a crying young girl, who was being consoled by two friends.
The international community has expressed their condolences and support for those affected by the earthquake, with many countries offering aid and assistance. The United Nations has also released a statement, saying that they stand ready to support the affected countries in their time of need.
