What we know about the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria

Europe 1 with AFP 07:15, February 08, 2023

The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria killed more than 8,300 people, according to new official reports.

Entire regions were devastated by the tremors which also left thousands injured and homeless.

Here's what we know about the disaster.

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When and where ?

The first quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, occurred at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT).

It occurred in the district of Pazarcik, in the province of Kahramanmaras (southeast), about 60 kilometers as the crow flies from the Syrian border and at a depth of about 17.9 kilometers.

The earthquake was felt as far away as Lebanon, Cyprus and northern Iraq.

It was followed by at least 185 aftershocks, including one from 7.5 to 10:24 GMT on Monday, still in southeastern Turkey, 4 kilometers southeast of the town of Ekinozu.

It is the worst earthquake in Turkey since that of August 17, 1999 which killed 17,000 people, including a thousand in Istanbul.

Provisional human toll

More than 8,300 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands have been injured in the two countries, with many people remaining trapped in the rubble of thousands of buildings.

At least 5,894 people have been killed in southeastern Turkey and 2,470 in northern Syria, bringing the total death toll to at least 8,300, according to official and medical sources.

Material balance

Several archaeological sites have been affected in Syria and in particular the citadel of Aleppo, an architectural jewel of the medieval era and its old city, classified in 2018 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in danger, after years of civil war.

In Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reported nearly 3,000 collapsed buildings in seven different provinces - 2,834 according to AFAD, Turkey's public disaster management body.

Cities like Adana, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir were affected, but also Iskenderun and Adiyaman, where public hospitals collapsed.

The quake also struck the obligatory crossing point for humanitarian aid sent from Turkey to Syrian rebel areas, the UN said.

International aid

According to the Turkish president, 45 countries have offered their help, which should start arriving in Turkey on Tuesday with the first rescue teams.

The European Union has mobilized 1,185 rescuers and 79 search dogs for Turkey, sent by 19 Member States.

In Syria, the EU is working with its humanitarian partners and funding aid operations.

Despite the Russian invasion, Ukraine will send 87 rescue workers to Turkey.

The United States has pledged about 160 rescue workers and Beijing on Tuesday announced $5.9 million in aid, including specialized urban rescue workers, medical teams and emergency equipment.

The United Arab Emirates has promised $100 million in aid and Saudi Arabia, which has had no ties with the Damascus regime since 2012, has announced the creation of an air bridge with the two countries.

Russia has promised the authorities in Damascus rescue teams "in the next few hours".

More than 300 Russian soldiers are already helping on the spot, according to the army.

Sweden has also promised to support Turkey, despite bilateral tensions.

Israel announced that it had "approved" the sending of aid to Syria, after a request from Damascus received through "diplomatic" channels, the two countries having no official relations.

The Maghreb has mobilized with relief teams sent notably from Algeria and Libya, Tunis having ordered the dispatch of 14 tons of blankets and food products.