At Least 668 Dead After Powerful Earthquake Strikes Turkey And Syria

Topline

At least 668 people were killed and several others remained trapped under debris after a powerful earthquake jolted southern Turkey and northern Syria early on Monday, with tremors also reported in Egypt, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel, making it the region’s deadliest quake in over a decade.

Key Facts

According to the United States Geological Survey, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck at 4:17 a.m. local time, followed by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock just 11 minutes later.

The quake had a shallow depth of only 17.9 kilometers (11.1 miles) with the epicenter located just 20 miles from the major Turkish city of Gaziantep.

The death toll from the quake is expected to rise sharply as hundreds have been hospitalized with injuries and many more people are believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings.

Across the border in Syria, the death toll is expected to be in the hundreds, with most of the devastation taking place in the region held by anti-Assad rebels with limited access to healthcare facilities.

The Associated Press, citing various government sources, reported that at least 284 deaths have been reported in Turkey, 237 deaths in parts of Syria controlled by the Assad regime and 147 in Syria’s rebel-controlled areas.

Crucial Quote

On Twitter, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his “best wishes” to the people affected by the earthquake, adding that various government entities have “started their work rapidly” carrying out search and relief efforts. “We hope that we will get through this disaster together as soon as possible and with the least damage, and we continue our work,” he added.

What To Watch For

The death toll from the earthquake is expected to significantly rise both in Turkey and Syria. USGS estimates a 47% chance the final number could be somewhere between 1,000 and 10,000 fatalities. The estimate notes that around 70,000 lived in areas that reported “violent” shaking along with an additional 540,000 in areas that felt “severe” shaking. According to the USGS’ intensity scale, areas with “violent” shaking are likely to see considerable damage to structures, including partial collapse and buildings being shifted off foundations.

Further Reading

Powerful quake kills at least 560 people in Turkey, Syria (Associated Press)

7.4 quake causes major damage in southern Türkiye, deaths climb (Hurriyet Daily News)