February 6, 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake news

The port of Iskenderun in southern Turkey was damaged after the fatal 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the country early Monday, shaking buildings and toppling over vehicles.

Some parts of the port’s dock collapsed, Turkey’s directorate of maritime said on Twitter.

Other ports in the country have not been damaged, the directorate added.

Elsewhere, cracks formed on the runways of some airports in the earthquake zone, according to Turkey defense ministry.

Monday's quake is believed to be the strongest to hit Turkey since 1939, and has killed at least 670 people across Turkey and nearby Syria. Photos of the devastating disaster showed flattened infrastructure and metal rods strewn across the streets, as workers tried to clear the debris.

The epicenter of the earthquake was Kahramanmaraş in Turkey and 10 provinces were affected in total.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said search and rescue teams are still needed in the affected areas. Military planes are working on sending teams to the affected zones and an air corridor has been established.

A chorus of global leaders have sent messages of solidarity after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake ripped through Turkey early Monday, killing at least 670 people across Turkey and neighboring Syria.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance is in "full solidarity" with Turkey.

"Full solidarity with our Ally #Türkiye in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake. I am in touch with President @RTErdogan and Foreign Minister @MevlutCavusoglu, and #NATO Allies are mobilizing support now," he said in a tweet Monday.

European Union top diplomat Josep Borrell said the bloc is "ready to help," after Monday's quake.

"Devastating earthquake rocked Türkiye and Syria this morning, claiming the lives of hundreds of people and injuring many more. Our thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria. The EU is ready to help," Borrell said.

The President of the European Council Charles Michel sent his "deepest condolences" to the victims of the disaster.

"Deeply saddened to hear this morning about the devastating earthquake hitting parts of Türkiye and Syria. My deepest condolences to the many families that lost lives and wishing a fast recovery of the injured. The EU stands in full solidarity with you," he tweeted Monday.

The President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said support from Europe "is already on the way."

"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," she said in a tweet Monday.

At least 670 people have been reported dead in Turkey and Syria after Monday's huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

In Syria, at least 386 people have died, including 239 mostly in the regions of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, Syrian state TV reported. 

The "White Helmets" group, officially known as the Syria Civil Defense, also reported at least 147 deaths in opposition-controlled areas of northwestern Syria.

Hundreds more people were also injured following the earthquake, with 648 wounded in Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, Syrian state TV reported. Another 340 injuries were also reported in opposition-controlled areas, White Helmets added. 

In Turkey, at least 284 people have died and more than 2,323 people have been injured, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said earlier. 

Azerbaijan will send a search and rescue team of 370 people and aid material to Turkey following the powerful earthquake that struck the south of the country on Monday morning, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu reported. 

A plane carrying aid, including tents and medical supplies, will depart for Turkey "in a short time," Anadolu said. 

The Netherlands earlier said it will send a search and rescue team to Turkey after the country's disaster agency asked the international community for help.

Germany is ready to provide assistance to Turkey and Syria after a powerful earthquake rocked the region early Monday, its foreign minister said.

Global support: Leaders from the US, Israel, India, Pakistan and Ukraine are among countries to offer condolences and pledge support following the disaster. The Netherlands said it will send a search and rescue team to Turkey after the country's disaster agency asked the international community for help.

More than 500 people have been killed and some 3,000 others injured in Turkey and Syria after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit southern Turkey early Monday.

Rescuers are now frantically searching for survivors after the powerful quake shook the region, causing multiple aftershocks and sending tremors as far away as Lebanon and Israel.

Here's what you need to know:

Turkey's centuries-old Gaziantep Castle has been heavily damaged after a powerful earthquake and aftershocks rocked the country's south on Monday morning. 

The dome and eastern wall of the historical Şirvani Mosque, which is located next to the castle and is said to have been built in the 17th century, also partially collapsed, it added. 

According to archaeological excavations, the castle was first built as a watchtower in the Roman period in II-IV centuries A.D and expanded over time.

It took its current form in between 527-565 A.D. during the period of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, according to Turkish Museums, the official site of museums and archaeological sites in the country. 

CORRECTION: This post has been updated after an earlier version misidentified Gaziantep Castle's heritage status.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that hit southern Turkey early Monday could reach as high as 10,000 people, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

According to its estimates, USGS said there is a 47% chance of it reaching between 1,000 to 10,000 people, whereas there is a 27% chance of it reaching between 100 and 1,000 and a 20% chance of it reaching between 10,000 and 100,000. 

The USGS estimates come from modeling based on historical earthquakes in the region, the population exposed to the heaviest shaking, and the vulnerability of the structures in the hardest hit zones.

The report also estimates economic losses will likely be between $1 billion to $10 billion, which could reach up to 2% of Turkey’s GDP.

So far, more than 500 people have been confirmed dead and some 3,000 others injured in Turkey and Syria, according to officials and state media.

With a cold and wet weather system moving through the region, poor conditions are likely to impact the post-earthquake rescue and recovery efforts in southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, according to CNN meteorologists.

Temperatures just above the freezing mark are occurring in Turkey's Gaziantep province, with rain and snow showers forecast on both Monday and Tuesday.

Even though early February falls within the coldest part of the year, the current temperatures are even colder than average, running about 5 degrees Celsius (about 9 degrees Fahrenheit) below seasonal norms.

And the weather is about to get colder: Temperatures will drop below freezing by Tuesday, with the low in Gaziantep falling to -6 degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit).

Snow showers will become more widespread later on Monday and lasting through Tuesday. The snow will be heaviest in the higher elevations, but could fall all the way down to the border with Syria.

Despite the conditions, officials have asked residents to leave their buildings their safety, as additional aftershocks are expected following Monday's 7.8 quake.