The earthquake that shook the Middle East on Monday morning has, according to initial findings, damaged some key local heritage monuments.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey near the city of Gaziantep on Monday (February 6th) at dawn.
It was felt in several neighboring countries, including Syria.
The human toll is high and, culturally, the damage is also significant.
Thousands of buildings have collapsed and the heritage has been strongly impacted.
In Syria, the General Directorate of Heritage and Museums says that the citadel of Aleppo, "
a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
, was damaged by the earthquake"
.
A team of specialists was sent
"to inspect the site and assess the damage,"
said Hammam Saad, director general of the Syrian Directorate of Museums, Tourist Attractions and Heritage.
LIVE - Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: death toll reassessed at more than 1,500
In Turkey, the castle of Gaziantep, symbol of the city of the same name, would have been largely destroyed according to the first observations.
The monument, renovated several times, until now housed the city's defense and heroism museum.
The damage has not yet been estimated but photos showing the partial destruction of the castle are looping on Turkish television channels.
According to the Ministry of Health, in Syria and Turkey, the provisional toll of victims amounts to more than 1,500. Several thousand injured have already been counted.
Rescuers are still looking for potential victims, the toll could increase further.
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