The death toll is expected to rise further – Tsunami preparedness by the Italian Civil Protection
At least 53 people have died in southern and southeastern Turkish provinces after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the region and parts of neighboring Syria in the early hours, local government officials said.
The casualty count is still provisional.
At least 23 people were killed and another 420 injured in Malatya province alone, its governor told Turkish state broadcaster TRT a while ago.
The earthquake occurred at 04:17 (local time; 03:17 Greek time) and had a focal depth of 17.9 kilometers.
According to AFAD, the Turkish disaster management agency.
The German Geological Survey (GFZ) calculated for its part that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9.
The earthquake was felt as far away as Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus, AFP correspondents reported.
It was long, lasting almost a minute, according to a Reuters news agency correspondent.
Rescue teams pulling children from under the rubble of #collapsed buildings in northwestern #Syria
At least 50 people killed, 500+ injured, 140+ buildings destroyed in southern Malatya province as 7.8 #earthquake hits #Türkiye.#deprem #DepremiOldu #Turkey pic.twitter.com/vKnEnG3N2k
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) February 6, 2023
According to the mayor of Urfa, 16 buildings collapsed in his own town.
A security official spoke of 17 buildings that collapsed in the province Diyarbakiradding that residents are trapped in the debris.
The governor of Osmanige province spoke of 34 buildings that have collapsed.
Turkey💔 #Turkey #amed #earthquake #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/qVwPXft9Hu
— Ismail Rojbayani (@ismailrojbayani) February 6, 2023
The head of the Red Crescent said resources were being mobilized to help those affected, speaking of widespread damage and calling on those in damaged buildings to evacuate immediately if they could.
The Minister of Interior of Turkey Suleiman Soylu he stressed that the priority is to offer help to those trapped and appealed to citizens not to use their mobile phones unless absolutely necessary.
Videos uploaded to social media sites show damaged buildings in various communities in the region.
Footage broadcast by Turkish state broadcaster TRT showed residents storming out into the snow-covered streets.
Seismicity in Turkey is among the highest in the world.
Death toll from Turkey-Syria quake rises to at least 50 more than 350 injured.
Let’s spread the video, please let the authorities catch up, all our prayers are with you… #deprem #DepremiOldu #earthquake #earthquake #DEPREMOLDU #Turkey #deprem pic.twitter.com/rY1QSo0VnR
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) February 6, 2023
In late November, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northwestern part of the country, causing about fifty injuries and limited property damage, according to authorities.
The same area was hit in August 1999 by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed at least 17,000 people, including around a thousand in Istanbul.
In January 2020, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Elazig and Malatya provinces, killing more than 40 people. In October of the same year, a 7-magnitude earthquake killed 114 people and injured more than 1,000 others off the Turkish coast in the Aegean.
After the strong earthquake that hit Turkey, the Italian Civil Protection warned the residents of southeastern regions of the country about the risk of a tsunami.
He advised the residents of these areas to follow the instructions of the local authorities and to temporarily move away from coastal areas, to take refuge in places with a higher altitude.
The Italian Civil Protection reminded that even a wave of half a meter height can cause dangerous floods and strong currents. He added that he will continue to inform citizens about the development of the situation.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
