Turkey-Syria earthquake LIVE updates: Rescue workers scrambled to rescue people trapped under rubble as the death toll from a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria reached nearly 5,000. Since the first 7.8-magnitude quake, the region has been hit by five major tremors that have toppled entire apartment buildings, destroyed hospitals and left thousands more injured or homeless.
As rescue operations continued, freezing winter weather hampered the overnight search for survivors. Temperatures fell near freezing overnight, worsening conditions for people trapped under rubble or left homeless, Reuters reported.
Monday’s earthquake in Turkey and Syria was the largest globally recorded by the US Geological Survey since the August 2021 quake in the remote South Atlantic.
Turkish Vice President on the death toll
Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay said the total death toll in Turkey had risen to 3,419, with another 20,534 injured, bringing the death toll to over 5,000.
Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000, after Turkey declares 3,419 dead, Second IAF plane with relief personnel, relief materials left for Turkey
A second flight carrying a commander, 50 rescuers, one NDRF doctor, paramedics and paramedics left for #Turkey from Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad at 11am today as India provides relief to earthquake-hit country and death toll there reaches 5,000.
Extensive damage in Turkey after several aftershocks
So far, 11,000 buildings have been reported damaged in Turkey, Tatar said. Almost 25,000 rescue workers are working in the affected areas At least 1,602 people have died in Syria after the deadly earthquakes.
At least 1,602 people have been killed and thousands injured in Syria after a series of deadly earthquakes and aftershocks in neighboring Turkey, authorities and rescue workers said on Tuesday.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck eastern Turkey
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit eastern Trukey on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) said.
The quake was at a depth of 46 km (28.58 miles), the center added. The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has reached 4,983.
Rescue workers scrambled to find survivors in the rubble of thousands of buildings after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and multiple aftershocks struck eastern Turkey and neighboring Syria on Tuesday, with the recovery of more bodies raising the death toll to 4,983.
Syria appeals to the UN for help in the wake of the earthquake
War-torn Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelters and food aid after a massive earthquake killed thousands in Syria and Turkey.
Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: How satellites are helping rescue efforts
In disasters such as the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and 7.5 aftershock that struck Syria and Turkey on February 6, 2023, international cooperation in satellite imaging plays a critical role in rescue and recovery efforts.
This data allows humanitarian aid to better deliver water and food by mapping the condition of roads, bridges, buildings and – most importantly – identifying populations trying to escape potential aftershocks by congregating in stadiums or other open spaces.
Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so devastating?
The earthquake was strong – especially for an earthquake that hit land. Very strong earthquakes usually occur underwater, said Margarita Segou, a seismologist at the British Geological Survey.
In addition, the earthquake struck close to densely populated areas. The epicenter was located near Gaziantep, the capital and provincial capital of Turkey.
The affected regions were also home to vulnerable buildings, experts said.
Are earthquakes common in Turkey and Syria?
The earthquake occurred in a seismically active region known as the East Anatolian Fault Zone, which has caused devastating earthquakes in the past.
In January 2020, Turkey was hit by another large earthquake of magnitude 6.7, which caused significant damage in the eastern part of the country. In 1999, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near Istanbul, killing an estimated 18,000 people.
The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey has risen to 2,921
The death toll from a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey has risen to 2,921, the country’s aid agency AFAD announced on Tuesday.
The new toll brings the confirmed death toll in Turkey and neighboring Syria to 4,365 after the earthquake, believed to be the strongest to hit the region in nearly a century.
