Turkey and Syria earthquakes: 6 february summary news

Another earthquake strikes central Turkey

The US Geological Survey says the 5.5 magnitude tremor was at a depth of 6 miles near the town of Golbasi, coming as an aftershock from the two large earthquakes on Monday.

The fresh quakehappened at 6.13 a.m. local time

Ancient fortress destroyed in earthquake

Sitting atop the central hill in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, the Gaziantep Kalesi has stood for centuries at the border of the Turkish and Arab worlds. Hittites, Romans, Ottoman, and French armies are just a smattering of the forces that have clashed on the foothills of the fortification. It has outlived all of these empires.

However, the castle could not surmount its latest foe; nature. The destructive earthquake in the region has torn the walls asunder as tens of thousands of people are fighting to rescue as many people has possible.

People take shelter in Osmaniye, Turkey.

(Photo: SUHAIB SALEM/REUTERS)
 

Confusion over Atsu whereabouts

Despite reports that Hatayspor footballer Christian Atsu has been found alive, his club's vice-president, Mustafa Özat, is being quoted as contradicting this version of events. "Unfortunately, Christian Atsu and our sporting director Taner Savut are still under the rubble," Özat has said, according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.

Over 5,600 buildings have collapsed in Turkey

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said in its most recent update, published a couple of hours ago, that some 5,606 buildings have collapsed in the country as a result of the two earthquakes that have hit today.

Syrians "urgently need global assistance"

The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, says Syrians “urgently need global assistance”.

In statement, Pederson said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and massive destruction from the earthquake affecting thousands in Turkiye and Syria - men, women, children and the elderly - in the middle of winter. I send my deepest condolences to those affected, many who have already suffered enormously and for many years.

“My heart goes out to all. We are fully engaged in solidarity and support. I reiterate the [UN] Secretary-General’s call on the international community to help the thousands suffering from loss. Syrians urgently need global assistance. I encourage all to lend their support.”

Death toll now at nearly 4,000

Turkey’s vice-president, Fuat Oktay, says the death toll in Turkey has risen to 2,379. With 1,444 now reported to have been killed in Syria, that takes the total number who have died as a result of Monday’s earthquakes to 3,823.

A rescue team works on a collapsed building in Osmaniye, Turkey.

(Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya)

Soccer player Atsu reportedly found alive

Soccer player Christian Atsu has reportedly been found alive in the city of Antakya. Per Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the Ghana international has injuries in his right leg and right foot, and is having difficulty breathing.

The journalist Saddick Adams has tweeted that Atsu's Turkish club, Hatayspor, are expected to issue a statement soon.

Death toll now over 3,000

The death toll from Monday’s earthquakes has risen to well over 3,000.

An official from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) says 2,316 people have now died in the country, Reuters reports. 

Meanwhile, at least 1,293 people have been killed in Syria, AFP says, citing the Damascus government and rescue workers.

USAID deploys disaster assistance response team

Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), says the body has deployed a disaster assistance response team (DART) to "work in close coordination with Turkish authorities on the front lines, as well as with our partners on the ground and agencies across the US government.”

In a statement, Power added: “The DART is assessing the situation, identifying priority humanitarian needs, and working to provide search and rescue.” 

She also noted that USAID is to send two urban search and rescue teams from Fairfax and Los Angeles County Fire Departments. “These two teams will be part of the USAID DART and will coordinate with Turkish authorities and other responding organizations to provide life-saving assistance,” Power said.

"Immediate US response" to earthquakes - White House press sec

President Biden has given the green light to an “immediate US response” to the earthquakes, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has told a news briefing.

“Today our deepest condolences are with those who have lost loved ones in the devastating earthquakes that have thus far claimed thousands of lives and caused massive destruction in Turkey and Syria," Jean-Pierre said.

“The president authorised an immediate US response in addition to the US personnel currently on the ground.

“We are in the process of deploying additional teams to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and address the needs of those injured and displaced by the earthquakes. 

“US-supported humanitarian partners are also responding to the destruction in Syria.”

Destroyed cars in Osmaniye, Turkey, following Monday's earthquakes.

(Photo: SUHAIB SALEM/REUTERS)

Initial death toll "will increase quite significantly" - WHO

The World Health Organization says there could be an “eight-fold” rise on the early death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

"There's continued potential of further collapses to happen so we do often see in the order of eight-fold increases on the initial numbers," the WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, told AFP.

"We always see the same thing with earthquakes, unfortunately, which is that the initial reports of the numbers of people who have died or who have been injured will increase quite significantly in the week that follows."

GLOBAL NEWS

Earthquake in Turkey: How to help victims and donate to international relief agencies

If you're looking for organizations to donate to in the wake of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, AS USA's Maite Knorr-Evans has put together a few options.

A man is rescued from the rubble of a collapsed hospital in Iskenderun, Turkey.

(Photos: REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

UN secretary-general "deeply saddened" by earthquakes

The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, says he is “deeply saddened” by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and has called on the international community to come to the aid of the victims of the disaster.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the extensive loss of life caused by the earthquake which affected southern Türkiye and northern Syria earlier today,” Guterres said in a statement.
 
He added: “My heart goes out to the people of Türkiye and Syria in this hour of tragedy. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. 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.”

Death toll now over 2,600

The death toll from today's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has now risen to over 2,600.

In Turkey, the latest death toll stands at 1,651, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca says, and 11,119 people were recorded as injured. At least 968 people have been killed in Syria, according to figures from the Damascus government and rescue workers in the northwestern region controlled by insurgents.

(Reuters)

Still no word on soccer player Christian Atsu

Former Chelsea and Newcastle forward Christian Atsu is reportedly still trapped under rubble caused by the deadly quakes in Turkey, along with his Hatayspor Sporting Director Taner Savut.

31-year-old Atsu plays for Hatayspor, the main soccer club of Antakya, one of the cities affected by the earthquake.

International aid and support for Turkey and Syria

Governments and international organizations from around the world have responded with offers of support after an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck central Turkey and northwest Syria.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that 45 countries had offered help with search and rescue efforts.

Historic castle destroyed by earthquake

The earthquake in Turkey has left the 2,000-year-old Gaziantep Castle in ruins. The hilltop structure was constructed by the Romans in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, then Byzantine emperor Justinian I strengthened and expanded it in the 6th Century.

It was later converted into the Gaziantep Defense and Heroism Panoramic Museum.

Tremors felt far and wide

CNN estimates the death toll from the earthquake to have reached more than 2,300. Turkey and Syria were the hardest hit, but tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Israel.

Erdogan: Earthquake is Turkey’s worst disaster since 1939

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the earthquake is the country’s worst disaster since 1939, when the Erzincan earthquake in eastern Turkey killed almost 33,000 people.

Another quake killed more than 17,000 people in northwestern Turkey in 1999.

Demolished buildings

Numerous videos have come out showing how the earthquakes in Turkey have leveled entire buildings. Various news reports have the number of dead passing the 1,500 mark.

Citizens helping out

Local citizens have been helping rescuers in efforts to help those trapped underneath the rubble caused by the Turkey quake, as the number of casualties continues to rise.

Former Premier League soccer player reportedly trapped in rubble

Soccer player Christian Atsu, who played for Chelsea and Newcastle United, is reportedly trapped in the rubble in the aftermath of the Turkey earthquake.

The winger plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor.

Turkey earthquakes and aftershocks

An incredible graphic showing the earthquake activity across Turkey in the last day or so.

High-rise building collapses

As more and more footage emerges, hopefully people in at-risk areas remain clear of buildings and dangerous structures. Potentially very strong aftershocks are still possible.

Earthquake summary

At the time of writing, based on confirmed reports:

- 1,232 killed (912 in Turkey and 320 in Syria)

- 5,383 injured in Turkey

- 2,818 buildings have collapsed in Turkey

- 45 countries have offered assistance

Netanyahu prepares Israeli aid for Turkey/Syria

Israel is prepared to extend its aid to earthquake-struck Turkey to Syrian victims as well, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed, in a rare overture to the enemy Arab state.

"I ordered to send, at the request of the Turkish government, rescue teams and medical aid," Netanyahu said at a ceremony in a hospital near Tel Aviv. "Since a request was also received to do this for many victims of the earthquake in Syria, I instructed to do this as well," he said.

Netanyahu did not elaborate on who had made the request regarding Syria.

EU sends 10 search and rescue teams to Turkey

The European Union has said ten search and rescue teams had been mobilised in the wake of this major earthquake.

"Ten Urban Search and Rescue teams have been quickly mobilised from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania to support the first responders on the ground," EU commissioners Josep Borrell and Janez Lenarcic said in a statement.

“Italy and Hungary have offered their rescue teams to Türkiye as well.”

Breaking: another earthquake in Turkey

More on this as it develops but it appears as though the fears of a second earthquake, while the rescue operation is in full flow, has come to pass.

Earthquake death toll rises to 912

Turkey's President Erdogan has just provided an update stating that over 900 people are now confirmed to have lost their lives due to the earthquake, as schools across the cities affected are to be closed for a week.

'Biggest disaster we've experienced in last century after 1939 Erzincan earthquake,' the president said.

Epicenter in southern Turkey

While the quake resonated from near Gaziantep, its strength has been felt far from there.

Turkey's streets in ruin

This first hand account is just another example of how devastating the earthquake has been.

Turkey nuclear power plant unharmed

Turkey’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently under construction, was not damaged by the earthquake, said an official from the Russian company building the plant.

"Earth tremors of about magnitude 3 were felt here... but our specialists have not revealed any damage to building structures, cranes and equipment," said Anastasia Zoteeva from Russia's state nuclear energy company Rosatom.

"Nevertheless, we are carrying out extensive diagnostic measures to make sure that construction and installation operations can continue safely," the RIA news agency quoted her as saying.

Gaziantep castle collapses

Earthquakes and other natural disasters have no concern for ancient relics. This castle dates back around 2,200 years, and is now destroyed.

World leaders respond: EU

President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen posted.

'We stand in full solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria after the deadly earthquake that hit this morning. We mourn with the families of the victims. Europe’s support is already on the way and we stand ready to continue helping in any way we can.'

Level 4 alert in Turkey

As the sun broke through this morning, more could be seen of the damage caused by the earthquake and this made it somewhat easier for rescuers to effectively do their job.

That said, a forecast of rain and snow will complicate matters.

What caused the earthquake?

Today’s quake was felt in parts of Lebanon and Israel with tremors also in the Turkish capital of Ankara, 460 km (286 miles) northwest of the epicentre, and in Cyprus, where police reported no damage.

It was as powerful as that of 1939 which remains the most potent and deadly quake recorded in the northeast of the country (Izmit) which claimed over 30,000 lives.

Here's a quick look at where it began, and how it fits into the history of earthquakes in the region.

Roads ripped apart

Chaudhary Parvez is reporting that the death toll from the earthquake now sits at over 1,000. In this short video you can see the damage inflicted on the streets of Gaziantep.

We will continue to bring you official numbers as they arrive.

Child pulled from rubble

One of the survivors captured on camera here, as a small child is carried away to safety by a rescuer in Syria.

Oil pipeline not damaged

There is no damage to the Kerkuk-Ceyhan pipeline carrying oil from Iraq to Turkey, or to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and oil flows are continuing on both after a major earthquake struck Turkey, an energy official told Reuters.

Turkish lira hits record low

While markets were watching for the impact of the earthquake, Turkey’s lira hit a fresh record low of 18.85 against the dollar in early trade on Monday as a strong greenback and geopolitical risks weighed on the currency, Reuters reported.

Emerging market currencies had come under broad pressure after the dollar rallied sharply on Friday in the wake of a strong U.S. jobs report, suggesting the Federal Reserve could stay hawkish for longer.

Indications that the United States would push for a harder line on sanctions enforcement also added to the pressure after Washington warned Ankara about the export to Russia of chemicals, microchips and other products that can be used in Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. The lira had clawed back losses to trade flat as the sun broke through.

Turkey's lira last hit a record low on Dec. 26 when it sank to 18.844 to the dollar. The currency has weakened nearly 1% since the start of the year.

Russia say military facilities unaffected

Russia’s defence ministry to say that its military facilities had not been damaged by the earthquake. Russia, which is closely allied with the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, maintains a significant military presence in the country.

World leaders respond: UK

The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote:

'Tragic loss of life in the Türkiye and Syria earthquake. Our condolences go to the families of those who died and our thoughts are with the survivors. The UK stands ready to provide assistance.'

World leaders respond: Germany

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted:

'We woke up to terrible news from #Turkey & #Syria. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in these terrible #earthquakes and those who still fear for their relatives, friends or neighbors. Together with our partners, we stand ready to provide assistance.'

Aftershock brings down building

Onlookers run away in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, as this building comes down, caught live on a mobile camera.

White Helmets search in Syria

Early reports from rescuers said the earthquake had left dozens dead and hundreds wounded in opposition-held parts of Syria, already battered by nearly 12 years of war.

The White Helmets said the earthquake has “resulted in hundreds of injuries, dozens of deaths, and people being stranded in the winter cold”.

Building collapse in Turkey

There are numerous video clips across social media giving an immediate insight into the aftermath of the quake.

Turkey earthquake: update

Early this morning an earthquake of magnitude around 7.5 has shaken Turkey and Syria. At the moment, according to Syrian authorities, there are at least 237 dead and 639 injured in the Syrian country and at least 284 in Turkey and about 2,000 injured.

However, the official services report that the death toll could be much higher. We'll bring you live all the latest news as it breaks.