Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, latest live news | The quake causes more than 1,600 deaths and demolishes almost 3,000 buildings in Turkey

EL PAÍS offers the last hour of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria free of charge as a public service. 

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday morning, leaving more than 1,600 dead and thousands injured and missing.

In Turkey there are at least 1,014 dead and 5,383 injured, according to the authorities, who have stated that there are also 2,824 collapsed buildings.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has acknowledged that the death toll is likely to rise considerably.

In Syria there have been more than 371 deaths and at least 1,089 injuries in government-controlled areas, and 221 fatalities and 419 injuries in the rebel-held northwestern area.

There are numerous collapsed buildings in both countries.

Several hours after the first earthquake, another 7 quake,

5 degrees - according to the European Seismological Center of the Mediterranean - has shaken the center of Turkey, a country that is located in one of the most active seismic zones in the world.

The last major earthquake, known as the Izmit earthquake, occurred on August 17, 1999 and had a magnitude of 7.6, killing more than 17,000 people.

• The images of the earthquake

• Visual analysis |

  Keys, maps and evolution of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

02:49

Earthquake in Turkey: the images of the tremor of 7.8 degrees of magnitude

An emergency services worker rescues an injured minor in Azaz (Syria) after a building collapsed due to the earthquake. Photo: REUTERS

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The country

A group of people rescues an injured man from the rubble of a collapsed building on Monday in the town of Afrin, northwestern Syria.

/ RAMI AL SAYED / AFP

What is known about the earthquake in Turkey and Syria?

At 2:00 p.m., this is the balance of the earthquake: 

More than 1,600 dead.

The earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale has caused at least 1,014 deaths and 5,383 injuries in Turkey, according to the authorities of this country.

In Syria there have been more than 371 deaths and at least 1,089 injuries in government-controlled areas, and 221 fatalities and 419 injuries in the rebel-held northwestern area.

The authorities fear that the death toll is higher.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has acknowledged that the death toll is likely to rise considerably and has described the quake as the worst tragedy since the great Erzincan earthquake in 1939. "We don't know how many victims there will be, but Efforts are focused on searching the rubble of the affected buildings in the earthquake zone”, he added.

The Syrian authorities and the Syrian rebels have also said that the death toll will unfortunately be higher than it is right now.

The same has been stated by the World Health Organization.

Some 3,000 buildings demolished in both countries.

The Turkish authorities have stated that there are also 2,824 collapsed buildings due to the quake.

In Syria there are still no clear figures, but the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the country has stated that in the north-west of the country, an area largely controlled by rebels, there are at least 170 damaged buildings.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 and that occurred at 4:17 local time.

 The epicenter of the earthquake, which lasted about 30 seconds at around 4:17 local time (2:17 in mainland Spain), was the province of Kahramanmaras, some 600 kilometers southeast of the Turkish capital, Ankara, in the area where the plate Anatolian tectonics make contact with the Arabian plate.

It occurred at a depth of seven kilometers, and, according to the Kandilli Observatory of the Bosphorus University (Istanbul), it was a magnitude 7.7, which has been raised to 7.8 by the US Geological Survey.

A second earthquake collapses new buildings.

A second earthquake, independent of the first, had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 7.6 around 1:30 p.m. local time according to various institutes in Turkey.

According to the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul, it has occurred at a depth of five kilometers, with its epicenter in Ekinozu, a town in the province of Kahramanmaras, about 100 kilometers north of where the one occurred this morning.

This new earthquake has caused damage to some roads near the epicenter, including a tunnel, and has caused the collapse of several buildings in various locations that had been damaged in the previous earthquake. 

The EU sends 10 rescue teams to Turkey.

The European Union has reported that 13 Member States have offered search and rescue teams to assist in rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria.

Brussels has reported the rapid mobilization of 10 units from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania to support first responders on the ground in the first tasks, according to spokesman Balazs Ujvari in the round. of the Commission's daily press.

(THE COUNTRY)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 14:12

The country

The most violent earthquake since 1939, when 30,000 people died

The epicenter of the earthquake, which lasted about 30 seconds at around 4:17 a.m. local time, was located in the province of Kahramanmaras, about 600 kilometers southeast of the Turkish capital, Ankara, in the area where the Anatolian tectonic plate makes contact with the Arabian plate.

It has occurred at a depth of seven kilometers, and, according to the Kandilli Observatory of the Bosphorus University (Istanbul), it has been of 7.4 magnitude, later raised to 7.8 by the USGS.

So far it has caused more than 1,500 deaths.

This is the largest magnitude earthquake recorded since the Erzincan earthquake (east of the country) in 1939, also of magnitude 7.8, which left 32,000 dead and caused a tsunami in the Black Sea, located some 160 kilometers from the epicenter.

The East Anatolian Geologic Fault separates the tectonic plates of the Anatolian Highlands from the Arabian Plains and extends as far as Adana in the Mediterranean.

Along this fault, dozens of earthquakes of up to 6 degrees of magnitude have been recorded during the last century, and seven of between 6 and 7 degrees, but none of the destructive force that today's has had.

Turkey's largest earthquakes have been on the Bitlis-Zagros fault, which runs from eastern Anatolia into the mountains of Iran, and on the northern Anatolian fault, which runs along the Black Sea coast and reaches to the Sea of ​​Marmara, south of Istanbul.

The first caused the 7.2 magnitude Van earthquake that killed more than 600 people in 2011. The second caused the 7.6 magnitude Izmit earthquake, which in 1999 devastated this city located 100 kilometers east of Istanbul and caused more than 17,000 deaths.

The last major earthquake that the country has experienced occurred in 2011 in the town of Van, on the border with Iran.

A first quake measuring 7.1 followed by another measuring 5.6 two weeks later killed about 650 people and left some 60,000 people homeless.

On the Syrian side, this Monday was the largest earthquake recorded since 1995. "This earthquake is the strongest recorded by the national seismic monitoring network since its creation in 1995," reported the center's director general, Raed Ahmed. , who recalled that Syria has already been "historically" affected by earthquakes that occurred in the southeast of Turkey.

According to Ahmed, the Syrian areas hardest hit on previous occasions were also those closest to the epicenter: the northwestern provinces of Idlib, Aleppo and Latakia, part of which are outside the control of the Syrian government and are controlled by rebel and opposition groups.

(THE COUNTRY / Efe)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 13:48

Andres Mourenza

Extension |

Second earthquake collapses new buildings

The second earthquake, independent of the first, has had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 7.6 according to various institutes in Turkey.

According to the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul, it has occurred at a depth of five kilometers, with its epicenter in Ekinozu, a town in the province of Kahramanmaras, about 100 kilometers north of where the one occurred this morning.

This is an area of ​​great seismic activity, since the Anatolian and Arabian tectonic plates meet there.

This new earthquake has caused damage to some roads near the epicenter, including a tunnel, and has caused the collapse of several buildings in various locations that had been damaged in the previous earthquake.

Some televisions have broadcast live the fall of these buildings while recording the rescue efforts.

This has forced a momentary halt in the search for survivors and the evacuation of the people who had gathered in the area.

istanbul

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 13:55

The country

Epicenter and aftershocks of the earthquake

Dozens of strong aftershocks are following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale that shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday morning.

The epicenter, located about 100 kilometers north of Aleppo (Syria), is located in an area of ​​high seismic intensity, where the Anatolian and Arabian tectonic plates converge.

On the map you can see both the epicenter and the aftershocks. 

A second earthquake, independent of the first, has had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 7.6 according to various institutes in Turkey after noon.

According to the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul, it has occurred at a depth of five kilometers with an epicenter in Ekinozu, a town in the province of Kahramanmaras, about 100 kilometers north of where the previous one occurred. 

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 13:25

The country

The EU mobilizes 10 rescue teams: "Europe's support is already on the way"

The European Union (EU) has reported that 13 Member States have offered search and rescue teams on Monday to help in the rescue tasks that are carried out in Turkey and other neighboring countries.

Brussels has reported the rapid mobilization of 10 units from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania to support first responders on the ground in the first tasks, according to spokesman Balazs Ujvari in the daily press conference of the Commission.

Ujvari explained that Spain, Italy, Hungary, Malta and Slovakia have also offered teams.

The EU Emergency Response Coordination Center is in direct contact with the Turkish authorities to organize further support if necessary.

In addition, the EU's Copernicus satellite system has been activated "to provide emergency mapping services," the EC has reported in a statement.

The European Union has also shown its willingness to "support those affected in Syria, which has also registered victims, through its humanitarian assistance programmes." 

"Europe's support is already on the way and we are prepared to continue helping in any way we can," said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a message on her official Twitter account in which she assured that the Twenty-seven stand in solidarity "fully" with Turkey and Syria and "mourn" with the families of the victims.

The Crisis Management Commissioner, Janez Lenarcic, said in a message shared on Twitter that Brussels has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and that rescue teams from the Netherlands and Romania are already moving towards the affected area.

"The Emergency Response Coordination Center is coordinating the deployment of rescue teams from Europe," stressed the Slovenian.

(Eph)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 13:02

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Erdogan affirms that the earthquake is the "greatest disaster" that the country has experienced since 1939

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has described this Monday as a historic disaster the earthquake of magnitude 7.8 that has left at least 912 dead and 5,385 injured in the Eurasian country.

Erdogan has also said the death toll is likely to rise as more than 2,800 buildings have collapsed and emergency services workers continue to search through rubble to rescue survivors.

According to the Turkish president, the earthquake is the "biggest disaster" the country has experienced since another earthquake hit the eastern province of Erzincan in 1939.

"Everyone is putting their heart and soul into the efforts, although the winter, the cold and the fact that the earthquake happened overnight make things more difficult," Erdogan told reporters at a news conference in Ankara.

"We do not know how many victims there will be, but the efforts are focused on searching the rubble of the affected buildings in the area of ​​the earthquake," he added.

According to the Turkish president, there are 9,000 members of the emergency services who are participating in the rescue efforts.

Turkey, as Erdogan explained, has been offered help by NATO, the European Union and 45 countries.

“Today is a day for the 85 million Turks to be together”, he added.

(Reuters)

Members of the rescue teams work this Monday in the rubble of a building collapsed by the earthquake in Diyarbakir, in the southeast of Turkey.

/ Ahmet Yukus / Zuma Press

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 13:11

The country

The US is "deeply concerned" about the effects of the earthquake

The United States government has shown itself to be "deeply concerned" about the effects of the earthquake that shook Turkey on Monday.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that Washington "stands ready to provide all necessary assistance," according to a White House statement.

Likewise, Sullivan has assured that US President Joe Biden has ordered the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as other agencies, to evaluate the Executive's response options to help to those most affected.

"We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the Government of Turkey," said the National Security adviser.

(EP)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 12:24

Update |

The earthquake in Syria leaves more than 500 dead, although the authorities fear that there are more victims

According to the latest update from the Syrian authorities, the earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that shook southeastern Turkey and the north of this country early Monday morning has caused 371 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries in government-held areas of northern and western Syria, and 221 fatalities and 419 wounded in the rebel-held area of ​​north-west.

The authorities fear that the number of deaths is actually higher, since at this time the rescue tasks are still continuing and there are areas for which, at least for the moment, there is very little information.

(Agencies)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 12:42

Another 7.5 earthquake registered in central Turkey

Hours after the 7.8 earthquake registered in Turkey on Monday, a new 7.5 earthquake has been reported in the center of the country, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Center.

It has occurred 67 kilometers northeast of Kahramanmaras, at a depth of only two kilometers.

This new earthquake has occurred about 100 kilometers north of the first.

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 12:57

Several injured by the earthquake, this Monday in a hospital in Darkush (Syria).

/ OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP

Erdogan reports 912 casualties, more than 5,300 injured and 2,800 collapsed

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan updated the death toll from the earthquake on Monday to 912 victims in Turkey.

Those killed by the earthquake now exceed 1,200, counting the 230 reported by the Syrian government and the 147 reported by the opposition.

Erdogan has also given the new balance of injured in the country: 5,383 people.

2,818 buildings have collapsed, raising fears of an even higher number of victims.

(Agencies)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 11:33

The WHO expresses its concern for the areas of Turkey affected by the earthquake of which there is no news

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its concern on Monday for the areas of Turkey affected by the earthquake and in which there has been no news of their situation after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has affected this country so much. like Syria and that has caused more than 650 deaths.

"The national authorities are focused on search and rescue tasks at the moment," a spokesman for the organization told the Reuters news agency.

“Then there is going to be a greater need for trauma care to treat the injured and support the entire health system in the affected areas,” he added.

(Reuters)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 11:05

Putin offers "all necessary help" to Assad

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Monday for the victims of the earthquake that shook northern Syria and offered him help.

"I would like to express the most sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the earthquake in the northern regions of Syria," the message, posted on the Kremlin's website, read.

After expressing that in Russia they share the pain of those who have lost their family and friends, Putin has shown himself willing to "provide all the necessary help to overcome the consequences of this natural disaster."

In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that its military bases in Syria have not suffered damage.

"The earthquake that occurred on February 6 in north-western Syria has not affected the combat readiness of the Russian Khemeimim airbase or other locations of the Russian troop group deployed in the Syrian Arab Republic," Defense said. it's a statement.

Russia has prepared two Il-76 planes to transport Russian rescuers to Turkey so they can assist Turkey in search and rescue of victims.

The head of this department, Alexandr Kurenkov, has also mobilized a hundred specialists from the air detachment of the Ministry of Emergencies and the Special Risk Rescue Operations Center so that they are prepared to go to Turkey.

(Eph)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:59

Update |

More than 650 dead in Turkey and Syria by the earthquake

The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has already exceeded 650 victims.

According to the latest counts by the authorities, in Turkey there are at least 284 deaths and more than 2,300 injuries, while in Syria there have been more than 230 deaths and 600 injuries in areas of the north and west controlled by the Government and 147 fatalities and 340 wounded in the rebel-held area of ​​the northwest.

"The count may go up given that many families are still trapped," the White Helmets (White Helmets, in Spanish), the name by which the Syrian Civil Defense (DCS and Difaa al Medani Suri, in Spanish) are known, have written on Twitter. Arab).

"Our teams are on the ground looking for survivors and working on the rubble," they added.

(Reuters)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:49

The Red Crescent mobilizes aid for Turkey: 1,080 tents and 15,429 blankets

The Red Crescent in Turkey has reported the aid and troops that have been mobilized to deal with the consequences of the earthquake.

A total of 169 workers and 144 volunteers are on the ground.

Three mobile kitchens have also been set up, there are 71 food delivery vehicles, 1,080 tents and 15,429 blankets. 

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:38

Sánchez: "My solidarity with Turkey and Syria in the face of one of the biggest earthquakes in their history"

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has shown his support this Monday to Turkey and Syria after the earthquake that has caused hundreds of victims in both countries.

“My solidarity with Turkey and Syria in the face of one of the biggest earthquakes in their history.

Following the request of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the Ministry of the Interior, through Civil Protection, has activated the UME [Military Emergency Unit], the CAM [Community of Madrid Immediate Response Team] and air transport urgent to support in the search tasks”.

In fact, the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior has responded to this request requesting the urgent activation of the Military Emergency Unit and the Immediate Response Team of the Community of Madrid, the two organizations that have these capacities. urban search and rescue services in Spain certified by the European Mechanism.

At the same time, efforts are being made to have air transport available as soon as possible to be able to deploy these units on the ground.

The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies has called an emergency meeting with the Ministry of Defence, the Department of National Security and the Community of Madrid to coordinate this immediate dispatch to Turkey of search and rescue teams in urban areas.

The meeting will be attended by representatives of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, of the Military Emergency Unit, reports Miguel González.

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:32

The European Union shows its "solidarity" and its willingness to "help"

The European Union (EU) has shown this Monday its "solidarity" and its willingness to "help" after the death of more than 500 people due to an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria.

"Deeply saddened to learn this morning of the devastating earthquake that has struck parts of Turkey and Syria," wrote the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in a message posted on his official Twitter account.

"My deep condolences to the many families who have lost lives and a speedy recovery to the injured. The EU shows its full solidarity with you," he added.

The High Representative of the EU for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has expressed his regret that the earthquake has killed "hundreds" of people and "injured many more".

"Our thoughts are with the people of Turkey and Syria. The EU is ready to help," he stressed.

For her part, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has shown her "total solidarity" with "the people of Turkey and Syria" after the "deadly earthquake".

"We are in mourning with the families of the victims. Europe's support is already on the way and we are prepared to continue helping in any way we can," she said.

The EU has activated this Monday the Civil Protection Mechanism to coordinate the response to the earthquake, as confirmed by the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, who has indicated in a message on social networks that the Emergency Response Coordination Center of The EU already coordinates the deployment of rescue teams from Europe, with the Netherlands and Romania being the first member states to offer assistance.

(EP)

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:15

Turkey announces the creation of an airlift to send humanitarian aid to the area affected by the earthquake

The Turkish Ministry of Defense has announced on Monday the creation of an airlift to transport humanitarian aid to the area affected by the earthquake, which in this country has left at least 284 dead and more than 2,300 injured, according to the Turkish Vice President, Fuat Oktay, who has warned that the figure will continue to increase in the next few hours.

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:11

More than 500 dead in Turkey and Syria after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake

Good morning.

Comenzamos este directo para contarles minuto a minuto las consecuencias del terremoto de 7,8 grados de magnitud en la escala de Richter que ha sacudido esta madrugada las provincias del sureste de Turquía y el norte de Siria. El vicepresidente de Turquía, Fuat Oktay, ha afirmado que hay al menos 284 muertos y más de 2.300 heridos, aunque ha lamentado que la cifra seguirá aumentando en las próximas horas debido a que todavía queda un gran número de personas bajo los 1.700 edificios que se han venido abajo. En Siria se han notificado más de 230 muertos y 600 heridos en zonas del norte y oeste controladas por el Gobierno, y decenas de fallecidos en las áreas bajo control rebelde. El movimiento se ha sentido con fuerza en 14 países, entre los que están Líbano, Israel, Chipre y Jordania.

ACT.6 FEB 2023 - 10:00

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