≥30,000 (by May 2023) 540+ with a Mw 4.0 or greater[1]
Casualties
59,488–62,013 deaths; 140 missing; and 121,704 injured:
At least 53,537 deaths; 140 missing; 107,213 injured in Turkey
5,951–8,476 deaths; 14,500 injured in Syria
On 6 February 2023, at 04:17:35 TRT (01:17:35 UTC), amoment magnitude (Mw ) 7.8 earthquake struck southern and centralTurkey and northern and westernSyria. Theepicenter was 37 km (23 mi) west–northwest ofGaziantep.[2] Thisstrike-slip shock achieved aMercalli intensity of XII (Extreme) around the epicenter and inAntakya. It was followed by aMw 7.7 earthquake, at 13:24:49 TRT (10:24:49 UTC).[3] This earthquake was centered 95 km (59 mi) north-northwest from the first. There was widespread severe damage and tens of thousands of fatalities.
Damaged roads, winter storms, and disruption to communications hampered theDisaster and Emergency Management Presidency's rescue and relief effort, which included a 60,000-strong search-and-rescue force,[4] 5,000 health workers[5] and 30,000 volunteers.[6] Following Turkey's call for international help, more than 141,000 people from 94 countries joined the rescue effort.[7]
There was widespread damage in an area of about 350,000 km2 (140,000 sq mi), about the size ofGermany.[8] An estimated 14 million people, or 16 percent of Turkey's population, were affected.[9] Development experts from theUnited Nations estimated that about 1.5 million people were left homeless.[10]
The confirmed death toll in Turkey was 53,537; estimates of the number of dead in Syria were between 5,951 and 8,476. It is the deadliest earthquake in what is now present-day Turkey since the526 Antioch earthquake[11] and the deadliest natural disaster in its modern history.[12] It is also the deadliest in present-day Syria since the1822 Aleppo earthquake;[13] the deadliest earthquake ornatural disaster in general since the2010 Haiti earthquake;[14][15] and thefifth-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century.[16] The damage was estimated at US$148.8 billion in Turkey, or nine-percent of the country's GDP, and US$9 billion in Syria.[17][18]
Central southern Turkey and northwestern Syria are affected by the interaction between threetectonic plates: theAfrican plate,Arabian plate, andAnatolian sub-plate. The boundary between the African and Arabian plates is represented by theDead Sea Transform (DST)—a major zone of left-lateralstrike-slip fault—it accommodates the relative northward movement of Arabia with respect to Africa. The northern end of the DST truncates at theEast Anatolian Fault (EAF), another major left-lateral strike-slip fault zone that accommodates the overall westward movement of the Anatolian plate as it is extruded in that direction by the northward movement of the Arabian plate. The DST and EAF meet at theMarash triple junction. The EAF continues west of thetriple junction, forming the boundary between the African and Anatolian plates, linking into theCyprus arc to the west via theLatakia Ridge.[19]
The 700 km-long (430 mi) EAF is subdivided into seven segments, from the northeast; theKarlıova, Ilıca,Palu,Pütürge, Erkenek,Pazarcık andAmanos segments.[19] The Amanos segment is also consideredpart of the DST by some geologists,[20] or a transitional structure between the EAF and DST by others.[21] A northern strand to the EAF has also been recognized, including the Sürgü, Çardak, Savrun, Çokak, Toprakkale, Yumurtalık, Karataş, Yakapınar and Düziçi–İskenderun segments. The estimated slip rate on the main strand of the EAF system decreases south-westwards from 10 mm (0.39 in) per year on the Karlıova segment down to 2.9 mm (0.11 in) per year on the Amanos segment. On the northern strand, a slip rate of 2.5 mm (0.098 in) per year was estimated on the Çardak segment.[19] The Sürgü-Çardak Fault is an east–west striking 160 km (99 mi) long fault that runs north of the EAF. It branches away from the EAF west ofÇelikhan and extends westwards to Göksun.[22] Comprising two segments; the Sürgü Fault runs 70 km (43 mi) between Çelikhan and Nurhak; the Çardak Fault runs 90 km (56 mi) between Nurhak and Göksun.[23] Seismicity on the fault is low—the only associated earthquake was a M 6.8 event in 1544.[24]
The northern part of the DST is subdivided into several segments, although there is some disagreement between scientists as to which faults should be assigned to the DST and which to the EAF, at the northernmost end of the structure. Following the 2013 "Active Fault Map of Turkey", seven DST segments are recognized in Turkey and neighbouring parts of Syria; the Afrin, Sermada, Armanaz, Hacıpaşa, Yesemek, Sakçagöz and Narlı segments.[19]
The Palu and Pütürge segments in the east display arecurrence interval of about 150 years for M 6.8–7.0 earthquakes. The Pazarcık and Amanos segments in the west have recurrence intervals of 237–772 years and 414–917 years, respectively, for M 7.0–7.4 earthquakes.[26] A research paper published byEarth and Planetary Science Letters in 2002 studied stress accumulation and increased seismic hazard along the East Anatolian Fault. The study concluded two sections of the fault with a considerably high potential for future earthquakes. One of these sections was in Elazığ and Bingöl, located between the rupture zones of the 1874 and 1971 earthquakes. Theseismic gap ruptured during a Mw6.1 earthquake in 2010. The 2020 Mw 6.8 earthquake ruptured to the southwest between the 1893/1905 and 1874 earthquakes.[30] Another seismic gap was located in Kahramanmaraş—this 103 km (64 mi) long section—according to the study, believed to last rupture in 1513 has the potential to produce magnitude 7.3 earthquakes.[31]
Large earthquakes on the northern part of the DST include events in115, 526, 587,1138,1170 and 1822, which resulted in several tens of thousands to several hundreds of thousands of fatalities.[2][32]
At 10:24 UTC, an earthquake measuring Mww 7.5 according to USGS,[41] Mw 7.6[42] according to KOERI, or Mw 7.7 according to Geoscope[43] and the GCMT,[3] struck with an epicenter nearEkinözü, 95 km northeast of the M7.8 event. It had a depth of 7.4 km (5 mi) according to the USGS, 5 km (3 mi) by KOERI,[44] and 13 km (8 mi) by Geoscope. The shock was also the result of strike-slip faulting; it had an epicenter north of the previous large earthquake.[43]
A reevaluation of the earthquakes using long-period codamoment magnitude obtained Mw 7.95 ± 0.013 and Mw 7.86 ± 0.012, respectively.[45] These earthquakes were some of the largest Turkish earthquakes in over 2,000 years.[46] Both earthquakes are the largest and only observed to occur on land within a short span of time.[47]
Over 570 aftershocks were recorded within 24 hours of the Mw 7.8 earthquake and over 30,000 recorded by May 2023.[48] Anaftershock measuring Mww 6.7 occurred about 11 minutes after themainshock.[49] There were 25 aftershocks Mw 4.0 or greater recorded within six hours of the main tremor, according to the USGS. More than 12 hours later, the USGS had reported at least 54 aftershocks of 4.3 or greater magnitude, while the TurkishDisaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) recorded at least 120 total aftershocks.[50]
The Mw 7.8 earthquake had aftershocks distributed along about 350 km (220 mi) of the EAF.[47] A Mww 6.3 aftershock struck near Uzunbağ in Hatay Province on 20 February; the earthquake was the result of oblique-normal faulting.[51] This Mww 6.3 event produced an independent cluster of aftershocks with a similar focal mechanism. Aftershocks from the sequence also occurred in theGulf of Alexandretta, consistent with a northwest–southeast striking fault that produced the large aftershock. This aftershock occurred because the Mw 7.8 event transferred sufficient on another normal fault sufficient for it to fail.[24]
The Mw 7.7 earthquake triggered its own aftershock sequence,[52] including twomb 6.0 aftershocks.[53][54] Aftershocks of the second earthquake continued through at least 9 February.[55] Thousands of aftershocks associated with this earthquake were distributed along an east–west trend corresponding to the Çardak Fault[23] for about 170 km (110 mi).[47]
Map of mainshock and aftershocks – Mw 4.0 or greater (map data)
A source model for the Mww 7.8 earthquake produced by the USGS from observed seismic waves, taking into account preliminary rupture mapping from satellite data, uses three fault segments with individual lengths, widths,strikes and dips of >40 km (25 mi) × 30 km (19 mi), 028°/85° (Segment 1), >175 km (109 mi) × 30 km (19 mi), 060°/85° (Segment 2) and >160 km (99 mi) × 20 km (12 mi), 025°/75° (Segment 3). The mainshock produced a maximum slip of 11.2 m (37 ft) along Segment 2, beneath Sakarya in Kahramanmaraş Province, northeast of the junction where it meets Segment 1. Another zone of large slip estimated at 4.96 m (16.3 ft) occurred further northeast along Segment 2, northwest of Adıyaman.[2]
The USGS source model for the Mw 7.7 earthquake which struck nine hours later has three large fault segments with individual lengths, widths, strikes and dips of >70 km (43 mi) × >20 km (12 mi), 276°/80° (Segment 1), >40 km (25 mi) × >20 km (12 mi), 250°/80° (Segment 2) and ~80 km (50 mi) × >20 km (12 mi), 060°/80° (Segment 3). Maximum displacement occurred on Segment 1 at 11.4 m (37 ft).[41]
Three segments of the EAF were involved in the Mw 7.8 rupture; the Amanos, Pazarcık and Erkenek segments. The earthquake ruptured ~370 km (230 mi) of the EAF, producing a maximum slip of up to ~12 m (39 ft) along the Pazarcık segment.[56][57] The northern end of the rupture was about 20–30 km (12–19 mi) south of the Mw 6.8 earthquake that struck in 2020. This section of the EAF, the Pütürge segment, between both earthquakes, may represent aseismic gap. The southern segment of the EAF rupture was at its termination, near Antakya. Slip peaked at 12 m (39 ft) from the surface to 7 km (4.3 mi) depth during the Mw 7.7 earthquake; slip was 11 m (36 ft) at the surface. Slip along the fault was compact—mostly confined to within the Çardak Fault; it was also shallower—attenuating from 8–12 km (5.0–7.5 mi). Slip during the Mw 7.8 event extended to 18 km (11 mi) and 12 km (7.5 mi) for the Mw 7.7 event. The Mw 6.4 aftershock that struck Antakya on 20 February had a rupture area of 25 km (16 mi) × 25 km (16 mi) and produced a peak slip of 0.93 m (3 ft 1 in) at 8.3 km (5.2 mi) depth.[58]
Preliminary analysis of the effects ofstress changes caused by the M7.8 earthquake on the Çardak–Sürgü Fault, based on the USGS fault model, indicated up to 3 bars of added stress near the epicenter of the M7.7 shock, sufficient to trigger rupture on that zone, assuming that it was already close to failure.[59][60] Stress on the Hatay Fault, source of the 20 February Mw 6.4 aftershock, increased by 1 bar following the 6 February earthquakes.[24]
Map showing faults active during theHolocene, the extent of observed or inferred surface rupture and the location of epicenters for all earthquakes in the sequence of magnitude M≥5.0 in the first 21 days
Preliminary analysis based on seismology and observations of surface rupture suggest rupture along a branch of the DST before transitioning onto the EAF where most of the faulting was observed. The initial rupture at the site of the epicenter of the M7.8 shock on the Narlı Fault, the northernmost section of the DST.[61][62] The fault ruptured unilaterally northwards until it reached the Pazarcık segment of the East Anatolian Fault. Ruptures then continued bilaterally to the northeast and southwest along this segment. This subevent on the Narlı Fault corresponded to a Mw 7.0 earthquake which ruptured for 20 seconds. It had a focal mechanism corresponding to oblique-normal faulting.[24] A preliminary analysis of near-field (within 1 km (0.62 mi) of the fault rupture) seismic records indicates that the initial rupture speed transitioned tosupershear after propagating about 19.5 km (12.1 mi) away from the epicenter along the Narlı Fault before it reached the EAF.[63]Back projection suggests the total rupture length was ~560 km (350 mi).[64]
The rupture continued northeast onto the Ekernek segment and to the southwest onto the Amanos segment.[65] The northeastern rupture ceased 55 seconds after initiation while the southwestern rupture ceased near Antakya about 80 seconds later.[47] A Mw 6.8 aftershock occurring 11 minutes later and west of the first M>7 epicenter may have ruptured along the Sakçagöz Fault, the next segment of the DST to the south.[65] Rupture along the EAF during the event occurred at subshear velocity (maximum 3.2 km (2.0 mi) per second).[66] An analysis of near-field seismic data revealed transient supershear rupture episodes throughout the EAF rupture. Supershear rupture occurred along the northernmost section of the Narlı Fault where it meets the EAF. The rupture transitioned onto the EAF and propagated northeast at supershear velocity until its termination near Malatya. Rupture towards the southwest was mostly subshear, but at the southern termination in Hatay, where the fault has multiple branches and kinks, supershear was likely observed. Supershear rupture at the southern termination contributed to the intense ground motion in Antakya.[67]
The second M>7 earthquake initiated on a separate fault known as the Çardak–Sürgü Fault Zone,[24] part of the northern strand of the East Anatolian Fault.[19][68][69] The rupture propagated bilaterally along the Çardak segment, continuing eastwards onto the Sürgü segment before continuing eastwards to Malatya along the northeast–southwest trending Doğanşehir Fault Zone. Rupture also propagated towards the southwest along the Çardak segment. The total rupture length was estimated at 160 km (99 mi).[65] The westward-propagating rupture occurred at supershear velocity (maximum 4.8 km (3.0 mi) per second) while the eastward-propagating rupture occurred at subshear velocity (maximum 2.8 km (1.7 mi) per second).[66] The rupture lasted about 35 seconds.[47]
The Mw 6.4 aftershock on 20 February occurred along the Hatay Fault. The focal mechanism indicated normal faulting along a northeast–southwest striking fault.[24]
The extent of surface ruptures associated with the M7.8 and M7.7 earthquakes have been mapped using a mixture of satellite imagery and ground observations. Pixel matching on images captured bySentinel-1 before and after the earthquakes showed sharp discontinuities in displacement, revealing two separate zones ofsurface rupture. The longer of the pair, produced by the first earthquake, measured 320 km (200 mi) while the second earthquake produced 150 km (93 mi) of surface rupture.[47][70] These observations were backed up with direct imaging of the ruptures using other satellite data, such as from theDigitalGlobe'sWorldView-1,2 &3 andGeoEye-1,[71] and by field work.[72][73] The surface rupture and focal mechanism during the first subevent on the Narlı Fault also indicated a large normal faulting component.[24]
The zone of surface rupture extended from north of Antakya, Hatay Province towardsPazarcık, Kahramanmaraş Province andGölbaşı, Adıyaman Province.[74] Surface ruptures continued north of these cities. Surface rupture occurred in the Amik Valley. The westernmost part of Hatay Airport was damaged by surface ruptures but cracks in the runway were attributed to ground deformation. A major canal was damaged and lead to flooding in parts of the Amik Valley which was formerlyLake Amik.[75] Field observations indicate a maximum displacement of 7.3 m (24 ft) on the surface.[76] Geologists traced a 15 km (9.3 mi) surface rupture trending south fromPazarcık with an offset of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). From Golbasi to Nurdağı ground displacements were up to 5 m (16 ft).[73] The surface rupture observed during the M7.8 earthquake was unusually large, comparable to that during the1906 San Francisco earthquake along theSan Andreas Fault.[77]
Large surface offsets of 6–8 m (20–26 ft) were observed along the Sürgü-Çardak Fault. Along a road west ofGözpınar [ce;tr;tt;vi], the rupture displaced the road left-laterally for 8.6 m (28 ft).[78] The largest maximum surface offset was 10.0–12.6 m (32.8–41.3 ft); one of the largest surface offsets ever observed from an earthquake.[79]
Cracked land after the earthquake inGölbaşı, Adıyaman Province
Ground acceleration values recorded in some areas near the fault rupture were in excess of 1g.[80] Three USGS seismic installations, two at Antakya and one atHassa, recorded large ground accelerations and velocities. The town ofHassa recorded 0.9082g in ground acceleration (pga) and 215.34 cm/s (84.78 in/s) in ground velocity. The station data corresponded to a Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). A peak ground acceleration of 1.62g was recorded by a station atFevzipaşa.[81] The peak ground acceleration generally exceeded 0.5g in a large area around the epicenter, near Adiyaman and a large part of Hatay. High pga values of 2g were recorded in Hatay.[47] The maximum recorded pga was 2.212g at a station in Pazarcık Belediyesi Parkı, Pazarcık; a government health facility nearby had limited damage but the surrounding town was devastated.[82] The maximum recorded pga during the Mw 7.7 earthquake was 0.59g atGöksun.[83]
According toKandilli Observatory, the maximumMercalli intensity (MMI) of the mainshock was estimated to have reached MMI XI–XII (Extreme) inAntakya and near the epicenter. MMI XI (Extreme) or higher was observed along the fault rupture from the epicenter to Antakya.[84] The MMI also reached IX–X (Violent–Extreme) inKahramanmaraş andİskenderun, VIII–IX (Severe–Violent) inMalatya andAdıyaman, VII–VIII (Very strong–Severe) inGaziantep,Kilis,Idlib andAleppo, and VI–VII (Strong–Very strong) inAdana andŞanlıurfa.[85] The maximum MMI of the second earthquake was XI (Extreme).[86]
An example ofsoil liquefaction and a partially tilted apartment building in Gölbaşı
Liquefaction was identified via satellite andremote sensing along the southern portion of the Mw 7.8 rupture on the East Anatolian Fault from Antakya to Gölbaşı. Liquefaction and lateral spreading were observed at and near coastal areas, fluvial valleys and drained lake or swamp areas, covered byHolocenesediments.[87] These effects were widespread in theAmik Valley andOrontes River plain, north of Antakya, Hatay Province. Limited observations were made in high-elevation areas due to snow cover and lack of satellite observations.[87] Liquefaction was also observed inSamandağ. At Lake Gölbaşı, Adıyaman Province, lateral spreading occurred along the northern, eastern and southern coast. Parts of the lakeshore were also submerged.Gölbaşı was also damaged by liquefaction and lateral spreading.[75]
Subsidence at Lake Gölbaşı from lateral spreading lead to floods along the shore
Subsidence due to lateral spreading caused extensive damage in İskenderun. Liquefaction produced sand ejecta that buried Atatürk Boulevard in Çay District. Regular flooding in the city was observed after the earthquakes. Earlier flooding may be attributed to liquefaction while subsequent occurrences may be due to damage to the coast and water infrastructure.[88] The sea inundated parts of the city by as much as 200 m (660 ft). Large areas of the coast and sections of piers were flooded due to lateral spreading. Large waves from bad weather and a tsunami may have contributed to the effects observed at İskenderun.[89]
Both earthquakes caused shaking levels (≥0.12 g) sufficient for landslide-triggering across a 90,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi) area. About 3,673 earthquake-triggered landslides were identified using satellite imagery, aerial photos, and one field survey of the area. Landslides mainly occurred in the northern region of the affected area. Rockslides were the most commonly observed; there were also many bedrock rotational landslides, translational slides and lateral spreads. Surface ruptures propagating through hillsides also triggered landslides. These landslides blocked roads and river channels, destroyed or seriously damaged buildings and caused many deaths.[90]
One of the largest landslides occurred near Tepehan village, Hatay Province; a translational slide which detached a block 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi). This landslide occurred in a region comprising marl and clay-rich limestone. It produced a 20 m (66 ft) vertical displacement along its scarp.[90]ITV News reported the landslide scarp was up to 1,000 ft (300 m) long and "wider than a football pitch" in some areas.[91]
Despite an epicenter 90 km (56 mi) inland, a tsunami was recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.[65] It was the first recorded tsunami in the eastern Mediterranean Sea region since the one produced by the 1953 ML6.2 earthquake in Cyprus. The largest wave measured 40 cm (16 in) along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Although no underwater surveys results have been made available to identify the sources of these tsunamis, they were likely produced by landsliding at Iskenderun Port and liquefaction on the coastal flatlands of Antakya.[92]
Smalltsunami waves were recorded off the coast ofFamagusta, Cyprus, without damage.[93] The tsunami measured 0.17 m (6.7 in), and tsunami waves were recorded at 0.12 m (4.7 in) atİskenderun and 0.13 m (5.1 in) atErdemli.[94] Tsunami warnings were issued for the southern Turkish coast, southern and eastern Italian coasts and the whole eastern Mediterranean Sea area, but later withdrawn.[95]
The earthquake rupture terminated near Suvatlı in theAmik Valley, where some 10.5 km (6.5 mi) to its east is the Hacıpaşa Fault, a Dead Sea Transform segment. The rupture was arrested by astepover that connects the East Anatolian Fault with the Hacıpaşa Fault. Though it did not rupture, the Coulomb stress increased on the Hacıpaşa Fault. With a combination of the increases stress, 600–900 years without major earthquakes, and an annual slip rate of 5 mm (0.20 in), it is a potential source of magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquakes. The accumulated slip along this segment is estimated at 3–9 m (9.8–29.5 ft). An earthquake "domino effect" remains plausible along the Dead Sea Transform beginning with the Hacıpaşa Fault, as observed along the North Anatolian Fault, where successive earthquakes have migrated westwards along the fault since 1939.[96]
There were 53,537 deaths[111][112] and 107,213 injured[113] across 11 of the 17 affectedprovinces of Turkey.[114][115] About 140 people remain missing; 118 in Hatay Province.[116] At least 15.73 million people[117] and 4 million buildings were affected.[118] More than 2 million residents in the affected provinces were evacuated to nearby provinces includingMersin,Antalya,Mardin,Niğde andKonya.[119] At least 518,009 houses[120] and over 345,000 apartments were destroyed.[121] More than 20 percent of Turkey's agriculture production was affected. The United Nations said crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and rural infrastructure were heavily damaged.[117] At least 516 university buildings were affected, of which 106 were heavily damaged.[122]
By 23 February 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change conducted damage inspections for 1.25 million buildings; revealing 164,000 buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged.[123] Another inspection carried out in March revealed that 1,411,304 housing units sustained light to moderate damage.[120] Over 150,000 commercial infrastructure were at least moderately damaged.[124] TheInternational Organization for Migration estimated over 2.7 million people were made homeless.[125] Additionally, theInternational Labour Organization estimated that 658,000 workers in Turkey and 170,000 others in Syria had lost their jobs as a result of the earthquake, increasing risks ofpoverty andchild labour.[126] A damage assessment by the Turkish government revealed at least 61,722 buildings had to be demolished including 11,900 in Gaziantep Province, 10,900 in Hatay Province, 10,800 in Kahramanmaraş Province and 36,046 in Malatya Province.[127][128] Broad fissures appeared on roads.[129] During recovery efforts, body parts were often found in the rubble.[130]
InAdana, 12 buildings collapsed in the city center, 23 were badly damaged and 120 were moderately damaged.[131] Three apartments were among the buildings that were destroyed in the city;[132] the collapse of the 14-storey Alpargün Apartment inÇukurova resulted in 96 deaths.[133][134] AcrossAdana Province, damage assessments revealed 59 buildings, 1,274 apartments and 2,952 houses were destroyed, severely damaged or required demolition.[127][120]
At least 300 buildings were razed inMalatya. Sixty percent of the city's buildings received damage. Nearly every neighborhood of the city was affected by collapsed buildings. Out of the 968 mosques in the city, 25 were destroyed and 420 others were damaged.[135] Two hotels collapsed in Malatya, causing many casualties.[136] The ceiling ofMalatya Erhaç Airport experienced a partial collapse,[137] as did the historicYeni Camii mosque.[138] Damage was also reported at theArslantepe Mound.[139] InAkçadağ, 29 people died, 93 were injured, 32 buildings collapsed and 78 were seriously damaged.[140] At least 263 deaths were reported inDoğanşehir,[141] where roughly 6,000 of the 12,000 buildings collapsed or suffered heavy damage.[142]
AcrossGaziantep Province, 12,964 buildings, 31,522 apartments and 29,155 houses collapsed, were severely damaged or required demolition, while 486,779 other structures, including 256,748 houses, 196,199 apartments and 33,832 buildings had been damaged.[120][127] Many historical sites were severely damaged, such asGaziantep Castle,[143][144]Şirvani Mosque[143] andLiberation Mosque.[145] The city recorded 16,211 collapses and buildings which were severely damaged or required demolition.[146] In the city center, at least 154 people died after a four-story building collapsed; four other collapsed buildings left another 102 dead.[147] InNizip, at least 51 people were killed when a six-story apartment building collapsed.[148]Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport was forced to restrict its service to rescue flights.[149]
InNurdağı, nearly 2,500 people died and about 50 percent of the houses were badly damaged or destroyed. An additional 30 percent of its building stock received moderate damage.[150] Mass graves were created to bury the overwhelming number of dead.[130] The collapse of one apartment building in the district center killed 150 people.[151] Ninety percent of houses were heavily damaged or destroyed inSakçagözü, and 256 people died.[152] On 13 February, it was announced that due to the extreme damage observed in Nurdağı, that all buildings in the district would be demolished and rebuilt.[151] Inİslahiye, there were 1,368 deaths, over 1,500 injuries and more than 200 destroyed apartments.[153] There were over 130 deaths inSulumağara; 200 inAltınüzüm; and 300–400 in Keküklü.[154] Six train carriages at a maintenance station overturned, after rockslides obstructed a railroad nearFevzipaşa Railway Station.[155]
Wreckage of the collapsed Galeria Business Center,DiyarbakırSatellite view of the destruction inAntakya
InHatay Province, 13,517 buildings collapsed, 8,162 required demolition and 67,346 were heavily damaged,[156] along with 215,255 houses.[120] The districts ofAntakya,Kırıkhan andİskenderun were the most affected.[157] In Antakya, 70 percent of homes[158] and 6,369 buildings collapsed, 3,734 had to be demolished and 21,830 were badly damaged. The runway atHatay Airport was split and uplifted, causing flight cancellations.[159] TheAnkara Metropolitan Municipality completed repairs on the airport on 12 February,[160] allowing its reopening.[161] Two provincial hospitals and a police station were destroyed,[162] and agas pipeline exploded.[163] Thebuilding that housed the assembly ofHatay State was destroyed,[164] as wasSt. Paul's Church[165] and theHabib'i Neccar Mosque, while damage occurred at theAntakya Synagogue[166] and theHatay Archaeology Museum.[165] Several dozen buildings in Güzelburç district[167] and nearly every house in the central and Cebrail districts collapsed.[157] Most of the squad and coaching staff of the local football clubHatayspor were initially trapped in the collapse of their headquarters in Antakya before being rescued, with playerChristian Atsu and sporting directorTaner Savut dying.[168][169] At least 982 buildings were destroyed, 8,894 others were badly damaged and 943 had to be demolished inDefne.[156] InReyhanlı, 318 buildings collapsed and 1,661 others were severely damaged or required demolition.[156] InKumlu, 131 buildings were destroyed, 738 others were severely damaged and 84 others required demolition.[156] At least 58 buildings collapsed and 669 others were badly damaged or had to be demolished inPayas.[156]
The collapse of the luxuryRönesans Rezidans apartment trapped an estimated 800 people,[170] killing at least 269 and leaving 46 missing as presumed dead.[171] In May 2023, an investigation byThe New York Times found that inadequate design and safety lapses may have contributed to its collapse. An engineer revealed to the newspaper; "the building violated the basic tenets of engineering," after inspecting its blueprints. Contractors of the building said they adhered to building regulations but those were not enough against the earthquake.[172]
The 13-storey apartment block consists of three closely spaced buildings linked externally, but not structurally; when the collapse occurred, all three buildings separated. The basement, two-storey parking space was considered the "strongest part" of the complex as it had more concrete walls than other parts of the structure. The building's exterior walls and those that separated units and rooms consisted of heavy masonry which may have prevented the structure from swaying and possibly held the building mostly intact despite toppling. The building was considered asoft story structure as the ground floor had fewer masonry walls which meant it was at greater risk of damage fromseismic ground motion. Among other factors were that the core concrete columns which housed the elevator systems were situated along the north side which left the south side vulnerable without adequate support. Another reason was that beams emerging from either side of the building were misaligned and did not connect to each other. These features may have contributed to the building overturning onto its south side.[172]
Inİskenderun, Hatay Province, a large fire at the port was reported on 6 February at 17:00,[173] believed to have originated from a container carrying flammable industrial oil,[174] forcing the port's closure and the diversion of many ships. It was extinguished on 6[175] and 8[176] February, only for it to reignite the next day each time.[177][178] It was finally extinguished on 10 February.[179] A total of 3,670 containers were destroyed by the fire and the port managing authority said it would take three months for operations to resume.[180] The city saw 534 buildings collapse, 337 requiring demolition and 4,622 receiving severe damage.[156] Flooding occurred along the city shoreline, inundating streets up to 200 m (660 ft) inland.[181] TheCathedral of the Annunciation, seat of the Roman CatholicApostolic Vicariate of Anatolia, was almost completely destroyed.[182] At least 3,109 people died in the city and over 12,000 were injured.[183]
InSamandağ, 670 buildings collapsed, 9,212 were badly damaged or required demolition[156] and 7,850 people died.[184] InKırıkhan District, 1,886 buildings collapsed and 7,190 others were severely damaged or required demolition;[156] the district recorded approximately 3,000 fatalities, 5,000 injuries and many more missing.[185] In the village ofBektashli, 49 people died after their homes collapsed due to severe rockfalls.[186] A section of theKırıkhan-Reyhanlı highway nearAkpınar was severely damaged and buckled.[187] InErzin District, 31 buildings collapsed and 897 were heavily damaged or had to be demolished.[156] However, there were no collapses or major damage inErzin, the largest town in the district. Multiple factors including strict building codes prevented destruction. An estimated 20,000 people fled to Erzin, increasing its population by about 50 percent.[12] At least 700 people died,[188] 187 buildings collapsed, 2,176 others were badly damaged and 194 others had to be demolished inArsuz.[156] However, like in Erzin, numerous people fled to the district, resulting in the district's population tripling by June 2023.[188] At least 1,046 buildings collapsed and 3,452 others were severely damaged or had to be demolished inHassa District,[156] where 400 people were killed.[189] InAltınözü, 838 buildings were destroyed, 3,892 others were badly damaged and 650 others required demolition.[156] There were 213 collapsed buildings and 1,453 others had been severely damaged or had to be demolished inYayladağı.[156] At least 139 buildings collapsed, 755 others were badly damaged and 87 others had to be demolished inBelen.[156] InDörtyol, 115 buildings were destroyed and 2,030 others had to be demolished or were severely damaged.[156]
Rescue workers in Osmaniye
Mass burials occurred inKahramanmaraş[190][191] for more than 5,000 bodies.[192] A city official said the mass grave would eventually be the burial ground for 10,000 bodies.[192] Around 75 percent of the city's buildings were damaged or destroyed.[85] InTürkoğlu, 1,171 buildings collapsed and 4,500 others required demolition.[193] At least 413 people were killed, 379 were injured and 872 buildings collapsed inPazarcık District.[194] At Ordekdede, a village in the district, 34 people died and almost all single-story buildings were decimated, with none of the village's 140 houses structurally stable.[195]
InElbistan, 1,038 people died, 3,000 were injured[196] and 2,000 buildings were destroyed.[197] At least 11 people died, 107 houses were destroyed and 70 percent of the building stock were damaged inEkinözü.[198] InAfşin, at least 180 people died. At least 335 buildings including 90 in the city center were destroyed. The Afşin-Elbistan Thermal Power Plant was also damaged.[199] InEricek, a village inGöksun, 95 percent of homes were affected and 152 died.[200] InNurhak, there were around 200 deaths and all houses were severely damaged.[201]
Destruction in Kahramanmaraş
InAdıyaman Province, over 20,000 buildings and 56,256 houses were destroyed.[123][120] In the city ofAdıyaman, four neighborhoods were razed.[202] Many buildings along Atatürk Boulevard collapsed.[203] The city hall, a 6th-century mosque andGölbaşı District's state hospital were also destroyed.[204][205]Isias Hotel, the largest hotel in the city, also collapsed, killing 65 people.[206][207] Up to 10 percent of Adıyaman's population perished.[208] The mayor ofKömür said the Karapınar and Bahçelievler neighborhoods were nearly destroyed.[136] In the nearby village ofYaylakonak, 270 of the 280 homes were destroyed and 107 people died, including 32 children.[209]
Destruction also occurred in Barbaros, Sümerevler andKarapınar districts. In Harmanlı,Gölbaşı, 80–90 percent of it was destroyed.[136] The second earthquake destroyed three buildings in the province.[204] InGölbaşı, 71 percent of the town's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed and 695 people were killed with over 400 injured, including 286 deaths in the town center.[210] There were also 410 deaths inBesni District, about 90 percent of them inthe town itself.[211] At least 103 people were killed and dozens more were injured inÇelikhan District,[212] including 11 in Avaspi[213] and 10 inPınarbaşı, Çelikhan.[214] In Kurucuova village, 100 deaths and 10 missing were recorded[214] while inKâhta, 55 people died.[215]
At least 466 buildings were heavily damaged inŞanlıurfa Province; 201 were destroyed.[218] Structures around thePool of Abraham were damaged. The minaret at the religious shrine partially collapsed, sending rubble into the pools below and discoloring the water, which was also contaminated by seeping sewage.[166] InEyyübiye District, the minaret of the Eyüp Prophet Mosque was damaged and removed.[218] Thirty-three people were killed in the collapse of the Osman Ağan Apartment.[219]
InOsmaniye Province, of the 22,841 buildings surveyed, 2,531 were heavily damaged, destroyed or required demolition.[127] Additionally, 16,111 houses collapsed or were badly damaged.[120] Nearly half of the affected buildings were included inOsmaniye city,[220] where 1,088 of the 13,667 buildings examined in Merkez District were destroyed, seriously damaged or needed to be demolished.[221] InDüziçi, 192 buildings were destroyed or required demolition,[220] with the collapse of a single building killing 41 people, including 29 Syrians.[222] Many additional buildings were also destroyed or needed to be demolished in the province, including 174 inBahçe, 111 inKadirli, 87 inHasanbeyli, 19 inToprakkale and 13 inSumbas.[220]
InKilis Province, 448 buildings were destroyed[223] and 138 others were heavily damaged,[224] along with 2,514 houses.[120]Karamelik was the worst-affected area, with virtually the entire village being razed to the ground and cars being buried beneath collapsed houses.[225] Damage assessments inElazığ Province showed that 10,156 households and 664 buildings collapsed or were severely damaged, with minor-to-moderate damage being recorded in 32,673 homes;[120][127] One of the damaged buildings collapsed in the second earthquake.[226] Compared to neighboring provinces, damage and casualties were much less severe as most of the buildings in Elazığ received updated guidelines after the2020 Elazığ earthquake.[223]
InBatman Province, 218 buildings were damaged and 15 more collapsed.[227] In Mardin Province, 59 buildings were heavily damaged and another 190 were slightly damaged[228] and a death related to a heart attack occurred inKızıltepe District.[108] InBingöl Province, several houses cracked and some livestock were killed by collapsing barns.[229] InSamsun, damage occurred inSamsun Stadium.[230] InKayseri Province, eight buildings collapsed, while 5,252 others were damaged to some extent.[231] Several houses were damaged and a barn collapsed inMuş Province.[232] InSivas Province, the second earthquake destroyed a few houses.[233] InGiresun Province, a five-story building was damaged and evacuated.[234]
Destruction in Jindires, Aleppo Governorate, Syria
According to Turkish-backed officials on 2 February 2024, 4,537 people died in rebel-held areas while 1,414 died in government-controlled areas. The International Blue Crescent placed the death toll in Syria at 8,476.[244] TheSyrian Ministry of Health said over 2,248 died,[245] most were inAleppo andLatakia.[246] In rebel-held areas, at least 4,547 people died.[245][247] In a report by theInternational Medical Corps dated 8 March 2023, 7,259 people were confirmed dead.[248]
Over 14,500 were also injured in Syria.[248] Among the dead included 2,153 children and 1,524 women.[249] TheSyrian Network for Human Rights stated 73 medics, five media personnel, 62 workers in humanitarian agencies, and four civil defense personnel were among the dead.[250] TheSyrian Observatory for Human Rights said additional dead were buried before being registered and some victims died in hospitals.[245] Syria's National Earthquake Centre said the earthquake is "the biggest earthquake recorded" in its operational history.[251]
An estimated 5.37 million people across Syria may have been made homeless,[252] while 10.9 million people, nearly half of Syria's population, were affected.[253] More than 123 residential areas, villages, towns and cities were badly damaged. Many power plants, water facilities, hospitals and public infrastructure also sustained damage.[245] At least 453 schools were damaged.[254] Across the country, 22,452 housing units were destroyed and 62,878 others were damaged.[255]
Hundreds were killed in the town ofAtarib.[247] InJindires, over 1,100 people were killed[256] and at least 250 buildings were razed;[257] among the deaths were a family of seven—the only survivor was a newborn.[258] InJableh, at least 283 people died, 173 were injured and 19 buildings collapsed.[259] Four bodies were recovered and 15 bodies were in the process of recovery during debris clearance on 10 February.[260] On 11 February, six bodies were retrieved from the rubble of a collapsed house along al-Maliyeh Street.[261] Civilians were stuck under the rubble for hours due to the lack of rescue teams in several villages such as Atarib,Besnaya, Jindires,Maland,Salqin andSarmada.[262][263][264] InLatakia Governorate, 142,000 people were affected; at least 805 people died and 1,131 others were injured. The region's governor said 105 buildings were destroyed, 247 were at risk of collapse and 900 others were severely damaged.[265][266][267] AtLatakia University, ten students, three employees and a professor died.[268] At least 48 people were killed inHama, of which 43 were from the collapse of an eight-story building.[269]
Cracks appeared in theAfrin Dam,[270] causing great concern from local leaders. It was weakened after years of lack of care during theSyrian civil war. On 9 February, theOrontes River burst its banks, flooding the village ofAl-Tloul, which was exacerbated by heavy rains along theOrontes River basin. Nearly all its residents fled; about 500 families were displaced.[271] InAtarib, 148 bodies arrived at an underground hospital. A doctor at the hospital said some bodies were missing their head or limbs.[272] Various archaeological sites inTartus Governorate were damaged, including theKhawabi Castle andAleika Castle. Damage to historical towers and infrastructure were also reported inTartus andSafita.[273]
TheSyrian American Medical Society's president, Amjad Rass, said emergency rooms were packed with injured.[274] InIdlib Governorate, one hospital received 30 bodies.[275][276] In the village ofAzmarin, Idlib Governorate, at least 260 people died, 300 were injured, and 100 were rescued. Fifteen buildings in the village were leveled and about 50 percent of its housing stock had cracks.[277] FootballerNader Joukhadar, who played for theSyria national football team, died alongside his son when their home collapsed in Jableh.[278][279]
Building wreckage in Aleppo, Syria
According to theInternational Rescue Committee, the earthquake struck when rebel-held areas were preparing for a blizzard and experiencing acholera outbreak.[280] In Aleppo, dozens of buildings collapsed[281] and at least 444 people died, including 163 children.[282] By 8 February, the bodies of 210 victims were returned to their families.[283] TheDirectorate-General of Antiquities and Museums said various archeological sites across the city were extensively cracked or collapsed.[284] Cracks were also reported in the outer façade of theAleppo National Museum.[285] In Atarib, Aleppo, the Syrian American Medical Society hospital said 120 bodies were recovered.[286] About 20,000 homes were affected in Aleppo, leaving 70,000 homeless.[287] Total damage in the city exceeded US$403 million.[255] InRajo, the doors and walls of a prison facility cracked. Twenty prisoners, believed to beIslamic State (ISIS) members, escaped the facility.[288]
InDamascus, many people fled from their homes onto the streets.[289][290] In the northern parts of the city, many buildings were cracked.[291] Many buildings in Syria had already been damaged bythe ongoing Syrian civil war.[292] TheCrusader-built castleMargat suffered damage, with part of a tower and parts of some walls collapsing.[289] Cracks also opened up in the walls of theKrak des Chevaliers castle.[166] TheCitadel of Aleppo was also affected.[293] In addition, one of the towers ofSahyun Castle near Latakia was destroyed.[294] The minaret of the Grand Mosque inKobanî was also damaged.[295]
At least 6,600Syrians residing in Turkey were killed.[114] According to Turkey'sPresidency of Migration Management 1.75 million Syrians live in southern Turkey; 460,150 in Gaziantep; 354,000 in Antakya; 368,000 in Şanlıurfa; 250,000 in Adana. Turkey's health ministry returned the bodies of 1,793 Syrian victims to their relatives in Syria,[349] while thousands of Syrians were buried in Turkey due to difficulties transporting them to Syria.[350] At least 11 Iraqiwar refugees died in Turkey.[351]
At least 100 Afghans were killed by the earthquake in Turkey, mostly refugees who fled the country after theTaliban takeover in August 2021.[352] Among the Lebanese fatalities was an entire family of three in Malatya.[306] Ten Azerbaijanis were killed in Turkey, including four students in Malatya.[353] An Italian family of six, and an entrepreneur also perished.[310][311] Nineteen students, two teachers and a parent fromNorthern Cyprus died when the Isias Hotel in Adıyaman collapsed.[301] Seven other Turkish Cypriots died in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş.[302]
InLebanon, residents were awakened from their sleep. Buildings in the country shook for up to 40 seconds. InBeirut, residents fled their homes and stayed in streets or drove in their vehicles to flee from buildings. The earthquake damaged 16,200 buildings across the country, including 10,460 inBeirut and 4,000 inTripoli.[289][354]
InAshdod, Israel, a building was evacuated after cracks were observed in a pillar,[355] andChampion Motors Tower inBnei Brak was slightly damaged by the second earthquake.[356] InNicosia, Cyprus, some windows cracked, and the wall of a house collapsed, damaging two nearby vehicles.[357][unreliable source?][358] SixCuvier's beaked whales were found dead along the island's northern coast on 10 February. The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research said there was a possible link between the beaching and earthquake as these whales' echolocation system are affected by sea disturbances.[359]
On 20 February, a Mww 6.3 aftershock struck nearAntakya,[51] causing additional buildings to collapse inSamandağ and further damage inAntakya.[366] Six people died in Antakya,Defne andSamandağ.[367][368] At least 562 were injured including 18 in serious condition who received immediate medical attention before being taken to Adana andDörtyol.[369][370] AFAD warned residents to stay away from the coast as there was potential for a tsunami of up to 50 cm (20 in).[371] The mayor of Hatay said several people were trapped under debris. A bridge was damaged and an empty three-story building inİskenderun collapsed.[372][373] In Syria, five people died during stampedes and panic across several governates and at least 500 people were injured.[374][375] The White Helmets said people inAleppo andIdlib were injured by collapsed buildings.[366] Some residents in Jinderis were injured after leaping off buildings. In northwestern Syria, damaged and abandoned buildings collapsed without casualties.[376] Shaking was felt in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan.[377]
A Mww 5.2 aftershock occurred on 27 February, nearYeşilyurt.[378] It collapsed about 30 buildings in the town.[379] Two people died and 140 others were injured; 12 in serious condition.[380] One fatality and four injuries were attributed to a factory collapse in Kahramanmaraş Province.[381]
On 25 July, a damaging Mww 5.5 aftershock struck Kozan, Adana Province.[382] The shock left 63 people injured in Adana andOsmaniye provinces.[383][384] A house inSumbas was also damaged by rockfalls.[385] Another aftershock struck Malatya Province on 10 August, measuring Mww 5.3.[386] Twenty-three people were injured; 22 in Malatya and one in Adıyaman.[387] One building collapsed and two were damaged in Malatya.[388]
A Mww 6.0 earthquake struckKale District, Malatya Province on 16 October 2024,[389] causing 254 injuries across seven provinces, with Elazığ Province alone recording 116 injuries.[390][391]
NDRF personnel performing search and rescue in Gaziantep, Turkey as part ofOperation Dost
Turkey was placed on a "level four" alert to request international aid.[392] More than 53,000 Turkish search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the affected provinces.[393] Seventy countries also assisted in these operations.[394] In the first two days, more than 8,000 people were rescued and 380,000 people were relocated to shelters or hotels.[395][396][397] An "air aid corridor" was established by theTurkish Armed Forces to mobilize search and rescue teams.[398] Poor weather conditions and damaged roads hampered rescue and relief missions.[399][400] By 19 February, most rescue efforts had concluded except in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş provinces.[401]
Syria made an appeal to UN member states, theInternational Committee of the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations for international aid.[280] PresidentBashar al-Assad ordered all teams of the civil defense, firefighting, health and public construction groups to be mobilized in the affected governates.[402] He also added that medical services, food and shelter were urgently needed. TheMinistry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection was ordered by President al-Assad to supply food and organize teams to distribute them. Technical teams were also on site to evaluate building conditions and evacuate residents in at-risk structures. TheMinistry of Water Resources was tasked with rapidly assessing damage to dams, reservoirs and water stations, and ensuring people have access to water.[403] Some hotels including in Latakia and Damascus offered to accommodate to survivors free of charge and ensure basic necessities. Refugees and expatriates also opened their homes as shelters for people. Sports facilities, events venues, university dormitories and halls were also opened to take in people. The Syria Trust for Development announced the establishment of shelters across many governorates. Volunteer groups inspected buildings for damage and distributed food items, blankets and first aid essentials.[404] Many hospitals were overwhelmed by the large number of casualties and prior to the earthquakes, were already experiencing supply shortages.[405]
At least 105 countries pledged support for victims of the earthquake, including humanitarian aid.[406] More than eleven countries provided teams withsearch and rescue dogs to locate victims under the debris[407] and monetary support was offered as well.[408][409][410] However, outreach to Syria was "less enthusiastic" than that to Turkey, mostly because of theinternational sanctions on the country and because of government limitations imposed on humanitarian organizations from operating outside areas of their control.[411][412][413]
President of the European CouncilCharles Michel and President of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen announced that theEuropean Union was ready to deliver earthquake assistance in Turkey and Syria.[415] The EU'sEuropean Civil Protection Mechanism, in which Turkey participates despite not being a member of the EU, was activated at the request of Turkey.[416] The EU dispatched thirty-one rescue teams and five medical teams from 23member states to Turkey, committed €3 million and €3.5 million to Turkey and Syria respectively, and announced a donor conference to raise money.[417] TheCopernicus Programme was also activated to provide emergency mapping services and other assistance.[414]
NATO secretary-generalJens Stoltenberg said that member countries were mobilizing support.[418][419] TheStrategic Airlift Capability was used to transport search and rescue equipment.[420] NATO deployed "fully equipped semi-permanent shelter facilities" to house displaced persons in Turkey.[421] Flags atNATO headquarters were also lowered to half-mast.[422] A vessel carrying the first 600 of 1,000 containers for temporary housing leftTaranto, Italy for Turkey to accommodate at least 4,000 people.[423]
Several United Nations agencies announced coordinated responses to the disaster, includingUNDAC, OCHA,UNHCR,UNICEF andIOM.[424] The World Health Organization's Regional Director for Europe,Hans Kluge, said the organization's regional offices were assisting international efforts to transport medicine and relief equipment.[414][425] The UN released $25 million from its emergency fund for humanitarian assistance in Turkey and Syria.[426] A second $25 million grant was released for relief efforts in Syria.[427] UN sent humanitarian aid to Syria through Turkey via theBab al-Hawa Border Crossing.[428] Since then, 65 trucks have crossed, carrying health and nutrition items and other vital relief supplies for more than two million people.[429] On 14 February, the UN appealed for €396 million to help survivors in Syria.[430]
TheWorld Bank said it would provideUS$1.78 billion in aid for Turkey to support the relief and recovery process.[431] "We are providing immediate assistance and preparing a rapid assessment of the urgent and massive needs on the ground," said World Bank PresidentDavid Malpass.[432]
Investigative reports revealed that the Syrian government had deliberately obstructed aid to all of Syria'sopposition-held areas, including theIdlib region, which was the worst-struck area in the earthquake.[433] Syrian government officials and state-run media blamed United States and European Union sanctions against the country for the lack of humanitarian aid and hampering rescue. On 10 February, Syrian presidentBashar al-Assad[434] accused Western countries of having "no regard for the human condition."[435] TheUnited States Department of the Treasury said its sanctions had already made "robust exemptions for humanitarian efforts", and that after the earthquake it issued a blanket authorization for relief efforts.[270] TheUnited Nations has also been criticized for its policy of focusing aid shipments solely towards the regime, at the expense of Syrian lives in opposition-held territories.[436]
Idlib Governorate, under the control of theSyrian Salvation Government (SSG), was one of the hardest-hit territories.[437] TheAssad regime's policy of besieging northwestern Syria, blockading the supply of food, medicines and other humanitarian supplies, has further deteriorated the crisis in Idlib.[438]Ahmed al-Sharaa, commander of the SSG-alignedTahrir al-Sham rebel militia, criticized aid agencies of neglecting the situation in Idlib and called on the international community to be more proactive in reconstruction and relief efforts, adding that the "United Nations needs to understand that it's required to help in a crisis".[439] Upon traveling to theBab al-Hawa Border Crossing bordering the rebel-held territories,UNOCHA Under-SecretaryMartin Griffith stated on 12 February that "We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria".[439] As of 13 February, Ankara and theTurkish-backed Free Syrian Army were accused of blocking aid convoys sent by theAutonomous Administration of North and East Syria from entering the north-west region.[440][441]
The United Nations (UN) criticized Russia's attempts to block delivery of aid through checkpoints to rebel-held territories. Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres urged theSecurity Council to immediately permit aid flows into Northwestern Syria.[442] The United States appealed for the immediate opening of all closed checkpoints to send in relief efforts to all parts of Syria; calling for an emergency Security Council meeting to increase humanitarian assistance through Bab al-Hawa and open up more border crossings for the entry of UN aid.[439][442]Stéphane Dujarric, a United Nations spokesperson, said on 14 February, "some aid is getting into the north-west, pointing to 58 trucks that arrived with aid through the Bab Al-Hawa crossing." However, the organization does not possess heavy equipment or search and rescue teams. He stressed that the "international community as a whole needs to step up to get that aid where it is needed."[443]
Raed al-Saleh, chief of theWhite Helmets, a volunteer civil defense organization, strongly rebuked the UN for its negligence and delay in responding to the rescue efforts:
"Let me be clear: The White Helmets received no support from the United Nations during the most critical moments of the rescue operations.. The UN's failure to respond quickly to this catastrophe is shameful. When I asked the UN why help had failed to arrive in time, the answer I received was bureaucracy. In the face of one of the deadliest catastrophes to strike the world in years, it seems the UN's hands were tied by red tape."[433]
Field hospital established by a Japanese health team in Gaziantep
Due to below-freezing temperatures in the affected areas in both Turkey and Syria, the mayor ofHatay, Lütfü Savaş, warned about the risk ofhypothermia.[444] In Adiyaman Province, some residents trapped under rubble died from hypothermia.[445]
Concerns arose regarding the possible spread of infection in areas where sanitation facilities were damaged or unfunctional.[121] Due to water shortage experienced in both countries, many survivors could not shower. International health organizations said the shortage of clean water would be a public health risk. TheWorld Health Organization said water shortage "increases the risk of waterborne diseases and outbreaks of communicable diseases."[446]
On 18 February, Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said there was an increase in intestinal and upper respiratory infection cases but "numbers did not pose a serious threat to public health."[121] At a stadium serving as shelter in Kahramanmaraş, a clinic managed by 15 to 30 medics attended up to 10,000 patients in the day. The clinic provided tetanus shots and sanitary items to residents. Many people at the stadium were unable to shower and the six toilets were unable to accommodate to the large number of people. In Antakya, residents said more portable toilets were needed.[446]
Health authorities in Turkey had to ensure earthquake survivors were free of disease. The World Health Organization collaborated with local authorities to monitor the rates of waterborne diseases,seasonal influenza and COVID-19 among the affected.[446]
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^Barut, D. (6 February 2023)."Malatya üşüyor: Hava soğuyor, yardım yetersiz" [Malatya is getting cold: It's getting cold, help is not enough] (in Turkish). Gazete Duvar.Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved6 February 2023.
^"Yıkıldık Türkiyem" [We're Destroyed My Turkey] (in Turkish). Karar. 6 February 2023.Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved6 February 2023.
^"Hatay'da şimdi sular yükseldi" [Now the waters have risen in Hatay]. Yeni Akit Gazetesi. 7 February 2023.Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved8 February 2023.
^Bayar, Ceren; Alan, Serkan (7 February 2023)."Adıyaman'da deprem: Bize makine lazım, makine, makine…" [Earthquake in Adıyaman: We need machinery, machinery, machinery…] (in Turkish). Gazete Duvar.Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved9 March 2023.
^"Deprem Bingöl'de Hasara Neden Oldu" [Earthquake Caused Damage in Bingol].bingolonline.com (in Turkish). 6 February 2023.Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved7 February 2023.
^"19 Mayıs Stadı'nda 'Depremin İzleri'" ['Traces of the Earthquake' at 19 Mayıs Stadium]. Hedefhalk. 19 February 2023.Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved19 February 2023.
^"Eski vekil Sıtkı Güvenç depremde vefat etti" [Former deputy Sıtkı Güvenç passed away in the earthquake].Gazete Duvar (in Turkish). 2 September 2023.Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved11 February 2023.
^Hayel, Ibrahim (14 February 2023)."فاجعة الزلزال.. الموت يحصد 51 شخصاً من عائلة واحدة في إدلب" [The catastrophe of the earthquake.. Death claimed 51 people from one family in Idlib] (in Arabic). Orient Net.Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved14 February 2023.
^"Kahramanmaraş ve Hatay'daki depremler, Lübnan'da eski binaları gündeme taşıdı".Anadolu Agency. 27 February 2023. Retrieved27 February 2023.Zuhayri'ye göre, başkent Beyrut'ta 10 bin 460 ve Trablusşam'da 4 bin olmak üzere ülke genelinde toplamda 16 bin 200'da hasarlı yapı var. [According to Zuhayri, there are a total of 16,200 damaged buildings across the country, including 10,460 in the capital Beirut and 4,000 in Tripoli.]
^"Ölü sayısı 2 oldu" [The death toll was 2] (in Turkish). Busabah Malatya. 28 February 2023. Archived fromthe original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved28 February 2023.
^"中国政府决定向土耳其和叙利亚提供紧急援助" [Chinese government decides to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria].Toutiao (in Simplified Chinese). Xinhua News Agency. 7 February 2023.Archived from the original on 9 February 2023.
^Ebrahim, Nadeen; Al Masri, Dalya (8 February 2023)."As aid is rushed into Turkey, Syria could be left behind". CNN. Retrieved9 February 2023.While Turkey has received an outpouring of support and aid from dozens of countries, outreach to Syria has been less enthusiastic, raising concerns that victims on one side of the Turkish-Syrian border may be neglected while others are provided for.
^Salem, Mostafa; Kourdi, Eyad (10 February 2023)."Syrian President al-Assad criticizes Western countries in first televised comments since Monday's earthquake". CNN. Retrieved13 February 2023.Standing near a building destroyed by the earthquake, Assad told reporters that Western countries "have no regard for the human condition." This comment is in line with statements heard from government officials and Syria's state-run media, who have pinned the lack of humanitarian aid and hindered rescue equipment on US and EU sanctions.
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