Turkey-Syria earthquake live: At least 2,300 killed in 7.8 magnitude quake as search and rescue efforts continue

This live blog has now ended. Follow The New Arab on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on the Turkey-Syria earthquake. 

A summary of events at the end of February 6th: 

• Rescue operations continue across southern Turkey and northern Syria after a huge earthquake killed more than 2,300 people 
• A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday
• Then a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey around 13:30 local time 
• World leaders have pledged to send humanitarian assistance to Turkey and Syria given the level of damage and destruction  

News in pictures 

 2,000-year Gaziantep castle destroyed 

 An ancient castle in Turkey's Gaziantep has been largely destroyed by the devastating earthquake. 

Gaziantep castle, constructed by the Romans and rebuilt extensively by the Seljuks, collapsed. #deprem #TurkeyEarthquake pic.twitter.com/0JRUIUj2tV

— Liz Cookman (@liz_cookman) February 6, 2023

Fires breaks out at Iskenderum port in Hatay province 

Fires have broken out at the port of Iskenderum in Turkey's Hatay province. 

Emergency services were attempting to tackle the blaze, according to Turkish media. 

Deprem sonrası İskenderun Limanı’nda yangın çıktı. pic.twitter.com/4v6OxKlA22

— Medyanın51Tonu (@medyanin51tonu) February 6, 2023

Tsunami warning issued to 14 countries 

The head of the Seismological Center in Turkey, Haluk Ozner, said during a press conference that they had monitored about 134 tremours as a result of the earthquakes that hit Turkey. 

Ozner said Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake was the strongest in the region in 24 years: "It was felt by people outside the borders, in Cyprus, Turkey, Iraq and Syria."

The head of the centre spoke of the possibility of a tsunami. 

"We are studying the possibility of a tsunami, and we have warned 14 countries. We are studying sea level rise at three different points. There is a wave of 17 centimetres in Famagusta, 13 centimetres in Mersin and 13 centimetres in Iskenderun." 

Statements from humanitarian groups: 

Carsten Hansen, the Middle East regional director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, said: "This is a disaster that will worsen the suffering of Syrians already struggling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Millions have already been forced to flee by war in the wider region and now many more will be displaced by disaster." 

UN General Assembly bolds minute of silence 

The United Nations General Assembly observed a minute of silence on Monday in tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,300 people in Syria and Turkey.

"Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance. 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," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so deadly? 

A combination of factors made the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday particularly deadly, including its timing, location, relatively quiet fault line and the weak construction of the collapsed buildings, experts said.

• The earthquake caused such devastation partly because of its power -- it is the strongest earthquake to hit Turkey since 1939 -- and because it hit a populated region.
• Another reason is that it occurred at 04:17 am (0117 GMT), which meant that sleeping people were "trapped when their houses collapsed," Roger Musson, honorary research associate at the British Geological Survey. 
• The construction of buildings was also not "really adequate for an area that's susceptible to large earthquakes," he said. 

Biden authorises immediate US response to deadly earthquake 

US President Joe Biden on Monday said his administration has been working closely with Turkey, authorising an immediate Washington response to the devastating earthquake there.

The earthquake killed more than 2,200 people and injured thousands more in Turkey and northwest Syria, flattening apartment blocks and heaping more destruction on Syrian cities already devastated by years of war.

"Our teams are deploying quickly to begin to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and address the needs of those injured and displaced by the earthquake," Biden said in a statement released by the White House. 

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance.

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 6, 2023

Earthquake damages ancient citadel in Syria 

Several of Syria's archaeological sites including a famed citadel in the northern city of Aleppo were damaged in the deadly pre-dawn earthquake on Monday. 

"Parts of the Ottoman mill inside the citadel" of Aleppo have collapsed, while "sections of the northeastern defensive walls have cracked and fallen", Syria's Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums said in a statement.

Parts of the dome of the minaret of the Ayyubid mosque inside the citadel fell off, while the entrance to the fort has been damaged, "including the entrance to the Mamluk tower", it added, publishing photos of the site on its Facebook page.

News in pictures 

Statements from humanitarian organisations: 

International Rescue Committee: 

"The IRC is deeply concerned for tens of thousands who have been directly affected by a powerful 7.8 earthquake that has hit Turkiye and neighboring countries. Striking in the early hours of this morning, with its epicenter in southern Turkiye, shockwaves were sent across northern Syria and parts of Lebanon, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. 

Freezing temperatures have left thousands exposed to extreme cold, and now many are without shelter. With buildings collapsing as people slept, there are fears that hundreds still remain trapped in rubble across southern Turkiye and inside war-torn Syria." 

World Vision: 

"World Vision is working rapidly to assess potential impacts to already displaced children and communities in the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck in the early hours of Monday morning, sending tremors across the region. The earthquake hit a wide area in south-eastern Türkiye and Northern Syria, killing more than 100 people and trapping many others. Reports of new deaths and injuries are being confirmed on the hour. " 

Action for Humanity: 

“We are sad to confirm a member of the Action For Humanity team has lost her life, as has her child. She was a doctor who was motivated with saving the lives of people impacted by the crisis in Syria. Sadly, she has lost her life. If she hadn’t she would be there now trying to help as many people as possible, just like the rest of her colleagues.

“With the death toll in the hundreds and rising, and countless injured - we are launching a full scale emergency campaign to help support those displaced and injured, as well as the health systems and infrastructure everyone needs. With so many people displaced and the winter weather deteriorating, we are in a race against time to help people." 

The Syrian regime said it did not request Israeli assistance after the earthquake 

Syrian pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan cited an official source on Monday denying its government requested Israeli assistance with earthquake relief.

Israel said earlier that it had received a Syrian request for assistance with earthquake relief and that it was prepared to oblige, in what would be rare cooperation between the enemy neighbours.

The New Arab is providing updates about the Turkey-Syria earthquake across social media. 

A major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Turkey and northwest Syria today, which - at the time of writing with updated figures - killed over 1,900 people and injured hundreds as buildings collapsed across the region ⬇

🎥: @alexander_durie #syriaearthquake #earthquaketurkey pic.twitter.com/DNCMm3JMw7

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) February 6, 2023

UN on-the-ground assessing the level of need after the earthquake 

United Nations staff is on the ground in Turkey and Syria to assess the need and provide assistance following a huge earthquake on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday.

"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," Guterres added.

Why is Turkey so prone to earthquakes? 

Turkey is in one of the most seismically volatile areas in the world - making devastating earthquakes all but inevitable for the country.

Our reporter Ali Abbas Ahmadi explains why Turkey is so vulnerable to earthquake activity: 

Aftershocks felt in northern Iraq 

After Turkey's devastating earthquakes on Monday, at least two aftershocks hit several provinces in northern Iraq with no casualties reported.

To read the full story, click below: 

UAE president offers help to Syria and Turkey 

The UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made two phone calls today, reaching out to President Bashar Al Assad of Syria and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

During the calls, Sheikh Mohamed extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the two presidents, their nations, and the families of the victims of today’s devastating earthquake that struck both countries, reported Gulf News. 

Greece pledges 'every force available' to aid Turkey 

Greece's prime minister on Monday pledged to make "every force available" to aid historical rival Turkey after the neighbouring country was hit by a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the cabinet that Ankara had already approved the dispatch of a Greek emergency rescue squad and that Athens was ready to send "additional equipment, medical supplies, blankets, tents" depending on further Turkish requests.

UK sending 76 search-and-rescue specialists to Turkey 

The UK will immediately send emergency response specialists, dogs and equipment to Turkey following the earthquake there, foreign minister James Cleverly said Monday.

Cleverly tweeted: "The UK is sending immediate support to Turkey including a team of 76 search & rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs."

The foreign ministry said it would send four dogs as well as equipment to cut concrete, tools to support buildings and seismic listening devices, following a request from Turkey.

The aid mission is expected to arrive around 9 pm local time (1800 GMT) in Gaziantep in south-eastern Turkey.

The UK is sending immediate support to Türkiye including a team of 76 search & rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs.

In Syria, the UK-funded White Helmets have mobilised their resources to respond.

We stand ready to provide further support as needed.

— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) February 6, 2023

Pope 'deeply saddened' by earthquake in Turkey and Syria 

The Vatican said on Monday that Pope Francis was "deeply saddened" by a major earthquake in Turkey and Syria that has killed more than 1,600 people.

"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the huge loss of life caused by the earthquake... he sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected," wrote the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a statement.

783 reported dead in Syria 

At least 783 people were killed on Monday across Syria following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that had its epicentre in southwestern Turkey, the government and rescuers said.

The Syrian health ministry said the death toll rose to "1,284 injured and 403 dead in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Tartus" - all government-controlled areas.

The White Helmets rescue group that operates in rebel-held areas of the war-torn country said "the death toll from the earthquake in northwestern Syria has risen to more than 380 and more than 1,000 injured".

Qatar launches air bridge to Turkey for humanitarian aid

The first flights of a humanitarian air bridge initiated by the State of Qatar have taken off, according to the Qatar News Agency. 

Qatar is sending a team of search and rescue operation specialists, medical staff, tents and winter supplies, in coordination with Turkish authorities, by decree from sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. 

More on this story to follow. 

Earthquake kills at least 255 in northwest Syria 

At least 255 people were killed and 811 injured in northwest Syria as a result of the strong earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on Monday, a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) said.

OCHA spokesperson Madevi Sun-Suon told Reuters the agency expected the casualty figures to increase as many people remained stuck under the rubble amid a response effort being hampered by tough weather conditions.

The agency had also recorded at least 170 buildings damaged in northwest Syria, the spokesperson said. 

NW #Syria in a state of catastrophe after 7.8 magnitude #earthquake. Destruction, devastation, and collapse of buildings. Hundreds of injuries, dozens of deaths, many trapped under the rubble or stranded in the winter cold. We call on the international community to take action. pic.twitter.com/rtzqRJa8IP

— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 6, 2023

China sends condolences to Turkey-Syria 

China's President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Turkish and Syrian leaders on Monday after the most powerful earthquake in nearly a century hit their countries, killing more than 1,400 people.

Xi told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in separate messages he was "shocked" to learn of the disaster, and conveyed "deep condolences for the dead and sincere sympathy for their families as well as for the injured", state broadcaster CCTV reported.

US expresses 'concerns' over the devastation wrought by earthquake 

The United States said it is profoundly concerned by the reports of today’s destructive earthquake in Turkiye and Syria.

"We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance. President Biden has directed USAID and other federal government partners to assess U.S. response options to help those most affected. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the Government of Turkiye," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. 

The U.S. is profoundly concerned by today’s destructive earthquake in Turkiye & Syria. I have been in touch with Turkish officials to relay that we stand ready to provide any & all needed assistance. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye.

— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) February 6, 2023

Ukraine says ready to send 'large group' of rescuers to Turkey

Ukraine said Monday it was ready to send emergency responders to Turkey following a deadly earthquake. 

"Ukraine stands ready to send a large group of rescue workers to Turkey to assist crisis response. We are working closely with the Turkish side to coordinate their deployment," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

Syria's Baniyas oil refinery suspends operations following quake 

Syria's Baniyas oil refinery will suspend operations for 48 hours following a deadly earthquake in Turkey, state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing an oil ministry statement.

Adana Airport in southern Turkey closed for flights -news agency

The airport in the southern Turkish province of Adana was closed for flights until further notice following major earthquakes in the area on Monday, the private Demiroren news agency said.

Turkey quake tremors felt as far away as Greenland

Tremors from the powerful earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday were felt as far away as Greenland, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said.

"The large earthquakes in Turkey were clearly registered on the seismographs in Denmark and Greenland", seismologist Tine Larsen told AFP.

Where was the second earthquake? 

A second 7.5 earthquake struck in the Elbistan district of Turkey's Kahramanmaras province. 

Elbistan lies around 80 miles directly north of Gaziantep, where the epicentre of this morning's quake was situated. 

The second quake struck 13.24 local time. 

#Earthquake (#deprem) confirmed by seismic data.⚠Preliminary info: M7.8 || 13 km S of #Elbistan (#Turkey) || 6 min ago (local time 13:24:50). Follow the thread for the updates👇 pic.twitter.com/kS7s2EQZIE

— EMSC (@LastQuake) February 6, 2023

India to send rescue and medical teams to Turkey  

India said on Monday it would immediately send rescue and medical teams as well as relief material to Turkey. 

"It was decided that Search & Rescue Teams of NDRF and Medical Teams along with relief material would be dispatched immediately in coordination with (Turkey)," the Indian foreign ministry said, referring to the National Disaster Response Force.

Two NDRF teams comprising 100 personnel with dog squads and equipment were ready to be flown to the affected area, it said, with teams of trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines also being readied.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Monday, saying he was "anguished" and "deeply pained" by the more than 1,200 people killed by the quake in Turkey - with whom India has frosty relations - and Syria.

Deeply pained to learn that the devastating earthquake has also affected Syria. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We share the grief of Syrian people and remain committed to provide assistance and support in this difficult time.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2023

WHO says it expects an 'increased need for trauma care' 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday it was concerned about areas in Turkey from which there had been no news following a deadly earthquake overnight.

"National authorities will be focussing on search and rescue at the moment," a WHO spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.

"Then we will expect an increased need for trauma care to treat the injured and to support the entire health system in affected areas."

Putin offers condolences to Syria and Turkey

President Vladimir Putin on Monday expressed condolences and offered Russian aid to Turkey and Syria after the earthquake that killed hundreds of people in both countries, the Kremlin said.

"We share the sadness and the pain of those who lost their loved ones and we hope for a speedy recovery for all the injured, and are ready to provide the assistance needed to overcome the impact of this natural disaster," Putin said in a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

EU sends rescue teams and emergency assistance to Turkey

The European Union is sending rescue teams and preparing further help for Turkey after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed hundreds of people, the bloc's crisis management commissioner said on Monday.

"Teams from the Netherlands and Romania are already on their way," with the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre overseeing their deployment, commissioner Janez Lenarcic tweeted.

Via the #EUCivilProtectionMechanism we continue to mobilise rescue to assist 🇹🇷 after today's #earthquake.

I thank Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, Netherlands, Poland & Romania for sending teams to support the 1st responders. Italy & Hungary also offered assistance. pic.twitter.com/u9YmhAdlJp

— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) February 6, 2023

New 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits southeast Turkey: USGS 

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey Monday afternoon, the US Geological Survey said, hours after an earlier quake killed more than 1,200 people in the region.

The shallow quake hit at 1:24 pm (1024 GMT) four kilometres (2.5 miles) south-southeast of the town of Ekinozu.

Check here for updates on the recent Turkey earthquakes: https://t.co/PbcP4dcjcc #Turkey pic.twitter.com/AliAaaD3G0

— USGS (@USGS) February 6, 2023

Israel to send aid to quake-stricken Turkey, says Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was preparing to send medical and rescue assistance to Turkey following Monday's earthquake that killed hundreds in the country.

"At the request of the Turkish government, I have instructed all authorities to make immediate preparations to provide medical, and search and rescue assistance," he said in a statement.

"The foreign and defence ministers have already been in contact with their counterparts and we will -- in the coming hours -- agree on the dispatching of a delegation as soon as possible," Netanyahu said, while offering condolences to the Turkish people.

Hundreds killed and thousands homeless across Syria in pre-dawn earthquake 

At least 560 people were killed across Syria after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring Turkey before dawn on Monday, the government and rescue workers said.

The official news agency SANA, citing the health ministry, said at least 339 people were killed and 1,089 injured in government-controlled areas of the war-torn country.

The White Helmets rescue group said at least 221 were killed and 419 injured in rebel-held areas.

To read more about developments in Syria, you can read reports from our MENA correspondent Will Christou (@will_christou) 

Erdogan says death toll in Turkey has risen to 912

Turkish President Erdogan said on Monday that the earthquake's death toll in Turkey had reached 912, bringing the overall death toll for Turkey and Syria to more than 1,300. 

The Turkish leader also said 5,383 people had been wounded in the country, adding that he could not predict now how high casualty numbers would rise. 

Where did the first earthquake occur? 

The epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday morning was near the city of Gaziantep. 

The city lies close to the Turkey-Syria border and is home to thousands of Syrian refugees who fled the Syrian civil war. 

7.8 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter in Turkey, according to U.S. Geological Survey. https://t.co/4Djx0cUuuD pic.twitter.com/j6NvvtEtEj

— Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) February 6, 2023