06/02/2023

Massive 7.8 earthquake hits Turkey and Syria

06/02/2023

GAZIANTEP, Turkey / HOLEB, Syria — A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria in the early hours on Monday leaving wide-spread devastation and likely killing thousands. Many people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble. The earthquake’s epicenter was in Kahramanmaras near Gaziantep, Turkey, and was felt as far as Cyprus, Beirut, and Erbil, Iraq.

Below is SyriacPress earthquake coverage for 6 February. You can find our latest coverage here.

Death Toll Approaches 3,500, At Least 5,000 Buildings Collapsed in Turkey

22:53 CET — The casualties from the earthquake that hit southern Turkey on Monday has approached nearly 3,500 dead and more than 15,500 injured. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the total number of deaths could approach 20,000.

In Turkey, the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) stated that at least 5,000 building collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

A rescue team works on a collapsed building in Antakya, Turkey. (Image: Umit Bektas / Reuters)

Turkish Airlines has announced that flights to Adana, Elazig, and Omid (Diyarbakir) are operational for those who wish to reach the earthquake zone. AFAD’s statement states that the airports in Malatya, Adana, Omid (Diyarbakir), and Adıyaman are open to all flights, while Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa airports are only open to aid flights.

However, Kahramanmaras and Hatay airports have been closed entirely due to earthquake damage.

The runway at Hatay airport split in two following the earthquake (Image: @BNODesk via Twitter)

Melkite Catholic Priest Confirmed Killed in Building Collapse in Holeb

22:34 CET — Melkite Catholic priest Father Imad Dahir passed away due to injures he received in the partial collapse of the Melkite Archdiocese building in Holeb (Aleppo), Syria. The passing of Father Dahir was confirmed to the SyriacPress news desk by a Syriac Orthodox priest in Holeb via telephone.

#BREAKING | The body of Fr. Imad Daher, priest of Virgin Mary parish for the Melkite Greek Catholics in #Aleppo, was found under the rubble.

Let's share prayers for the comfort of his soul pic.twitter.com/ehFdH088IM

— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) February 6, 2023

Melkite Catholic Bishop Yuhanna Jean-Bart, who was also in the building during the earthquake, survived the collapse.

Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Holeb (Aleppo), Syria, Damaged in Earthquake

21:56 CET — The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Holeb (Aleppo), Syria, shared pictures of damage to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Prophet Elijah and other assets caused by the earthquake centered in Turkey. The pictures, posted on Facebook, reveal debris from stone blocks that had fallen onto the cathedral’s mezzanine and additional damage to the interior of the cathedral.

The cathedral was dedicated as the new Greek Cathedral in Aleppo in December 2000.

“This unprecedented earthquake caused great destruction of life and body,” the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese said in a statement.

“We ask you to lift prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead, the healing of the wounded and for the relief of the homeless displaced who died without shelter. We also ask your brothers, while waiting to contain the damage and organize relief work, to initiate steps within your diocese to express our love and solidarity with our suffering brothers.”

Damaged to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Prophet Elijah in Holeb (Aleppo), Syria, caused by the earthquake in nearby Turkey on 6 February 2023. (Image: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta & Dependencies)

Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,500

18:53 CET — The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has climbed over 2,500. The earthquake, which was a 7.8 magnitude and had its epicenter in southern Turkey, took place on Monday. The number of injurer has exceeded 12,000.

A demolished building in Hatay, Turkey. (Image: Ercin Erturk / Getty Images)

Protestant Priest in İskenderun and Wife Killed, Son Survives

18:39 CET — A Protestant priest in İskenderun, Father Hakan Konur, and his wife were killed in a building collapse caused by the massive earthquake. Their son survived the collapse.

Melkite Catholic Priest Confirmed Killed in Building Collapse in Holeb

18:11 CET — Melkite Catholic priest Father Imad Dahir passed away due to injures he received in the partial collapse of the Melkite Archdiocese building in Holeb (Aleppo), Syria. The passing of Father Dahir was confirmed to the SyriacPress news desk by a Syriac Orthodox priest in Holeb via telephone.

Melkite Catholic Bishop Yuhanna Jean-Bart, who was also in the building during the earthquake, survived the collapse.

Pictures Show Scale of Destruction in Hatay

16:53 CET — Drone images show the massive scale of destruction in Hatay Province.

An aerial view over Hatay, Turkey, on 6 February 2023, showing the devastation caused by the earthquake. (Image: Ercin Erturk / Getty Images)

Buildings in Holeb Continue to Collapse, Melkite Catholic Bishop and Priest Trapped Under Collapsed Building

16:41 CET — In Holeb (Aleppo), Syria, at least 20 major residential buildings have collapsed as a result of the earthquake. Hours after the initial earthquake, buildings in the city continue to collapse.

The building of the Melkite Catholic Archdiocese was among those that partially collapsed. Melkite Bishop Yuhanna Jean-Bart and Father Imad Dahir are reported to be stuck under the rubble. There condition is unknown.

Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,000, US Geological Survey Says Could Be As High As 10,000

16:27 CET — The number of fatalities across Turkey and Syria has increased to a minimum of 2,318, with 1,498 confirmed deaths in Turkey by the Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). In Syria, the death toll stands at 820, with 430 reported by SANA in government-controlled areas and 390 reported by the Syria Civil Defense (also known as the White Helmets) in Turkish-controlled controlled areas.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has predicted that the death toll from the Monday earthquake in southern Turkey could potentially reach as high as 10,000 individuals. The USGS based its estimate on a 47% chance of the death toll being in the range of 1,000 to 10,000, a 27% chance of it being between 100 to 1,000, and a 20% chance of it being between 10,000 to 100,000. The prediction was made through modeling that took into account past earthquakes in the region, the population affected by severe shaking, and the susceptibility of structures in heavily impacted areas.

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” said the USGS report. “The population in this region resides in structures that are extremely vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist.”

The estimate of economic losses resulting from the earthquake is projected to be between $1 billion and $10 billion, potentially reaching as high as 2% of Turkey’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Meanwhile, over 500 deaths and roughly 3,000 injuries have been confirmed in Turkey and Syria, according to official sources and state media reports.

At Least 120 Aftershocks Recorded Following Main Earthquake

16:07 CET — According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), at least 120 aftershocks have taken place following the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southern Turkey on Monday.

Aftershocks are additional individual earthquakes that are weaker than the main quake.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) only reports significant aftershocks that are felt by those in the earthquake area and reported at least 43 aftershocks of magnitude 4.3 or higher.

Three of the aftershocks measured 6.0 or greater, including a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck 95 km north of the main quake’s epicenter.

The aftershocks span over 300 km along the fault zone from southwest to northeast, from the Syrian border to Malatya Province.

Search and rescue efforts in Omid (Diyarbakir), Turkey, on 6 February 2023. (Image: Aydin Arik / Getty)

Latin Catholic Church in İskenderun Destroyed

14:45 CET — The Latin Catholic Church in İskenderun, Hatay Province, was destroyed in the earthquake.

Depremde Hatay’daki Latin Katolik Kilisesi yıkıldı

Maraş merkezli 7,7 büyüklüğündeki depremde, Hatay'ın İskenderun ilçesinde bulunan Latin Katolik Kilisesi de yıkıldı.https://t.co/yz14OQmPFX #deprem pic.twitter.com/vZShaaiw3X

— Gazete Sabro (@gazetesabro) February 6, 2023

Updates from clergy in the effected regions continue to come in. Syriac Orthodox monk Mushe in Elaziğ, in Eastern Anatolia, told our newsdesk that shocks were felt there but there was no significant damage done to buildings.

In Omid (Diyarbakir), clergy said that people in the city remain outside in fear of aftershocks.

In the Syrian town of Aziziye, near Holeb, Syriac Orthodox priest Efrem told our newsdesk that a priest is stuck under the rubble of a church. No info on his condition was immediately available.

Second 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Near Elbistan

13:32 CET — A large 7.5 magnitude earthquake was registered near Elbistan, Turkey, a mere 100km north of the epicenter of the first earthquake, at around 13:25 local time. Significant shaking reported from Ankara.

#Earthquake (#deprem) confirmed by seismic data.⚠Preliminary info: M7.8 || 13 km S of #Elbistan (#Turkey) || 6 min ago (local time 13:24:50). Follow the thread for the updates👇 pic.twitter.com/kS7s2EQZIE

— EMSC (@LastQuake) February 6, 2023

Death Toll Passes One Thousand

12:45 CET — So far, the disaster has claimed the lives of over 1,200 people in Turkey and Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reported at least 912 deaths in Turkey. Meanwhile, Syrian state TV reported 386 fatalities, with 239 occurring in the regions of Holeb (Aleppo), Hemto (Hama), Latakia, and Tartus. The Syria Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, reported 147 additional deaths in Turkish-occupied areas in northwestern Syria. The number of injuries was also substantial, with Syrian state TV reporting 648 injuries in the regions mentioned earlier and the White Helmets reporting 340 additional injuries.

Destruction in Syriac Communities, Syriac Death Toll Likely to Rise

12:40 CET — Gazete Sabro, a Syriac newspaper circulating in Turkey, learned that many Syriacs in Malatya and Adıyaman are trapped in collapsed buildings and under rubble. It is unclear how many are dead or injured. It is likely the number of Syriacs killed in the earthquake will rise as more information becomes available.

In comments to Gazete Sabro, Syriacs describe their experiences and report that the earthquake was very heavy and lasted for a long time. The snowy and rainy weather conditions and the loss of electricity create great difficulty in finding victims. Contacted Syriacs said that many of them had to leave their homes barefoot and have been waiting in their cars since the earthquake struck.

The earthquake damaged the Syriac Orthodox Saint Peter and Paul Church in Adıyaman. Parts of the church collapsed.

Damage to the Saint Peter and Paul Church in Adıyaman.

Destruction in Antioch and Samandağ

12:40 CET — There was widespread destruction of buildings and homes of the Rum community in Antioch (Antakya) and, especially, in Samandağ, reports Nehna. The death toll is unknown but expected to be very high.

Antakya ve çevresinden, özellikle Samandağ’ından çok sayıda yıkılan ev haberi geliyor. İskenderun Katolik Kilisesi de yıkılmış… https://t.co/lHQWQI4ZKT pic.twitter.com/VMvTMvYIr2

— Nehna (@nehnabiz) February 6, 2023