2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes

2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake

A collapsed mall in Diyarbakır, Turkey, 300 km (190 mi) from the epicentre
UTC time	2023-02-06 01:17:35
ISC event	625613033
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	6 February 2023 (2023-02-06)
Local time	04:17 TRT (UTC+3)
Magnitude	7.8 Mww
Depth	17.9 km (11 mi)
Epicentre	37.174°N 37.032°E / 37.174; 37.032
Type	Strike-slip
Areas affected	Turkey and Syria
Max. intensity	MMI IX (Violent)
Tsunami	Yes
Aftershocks	At least 243 (by 7 February) More than 100 with a Mw 4.0 or greater Largest: Mww  7.5 at 13:24 TRT (UTC+3), 6 February 2023
Casualties	More than 7,200 dead, more than 35,500 injured More than 5,400 dead and 31,700 injured in Turkey More than 1,800 dead and 3,700 injured in Syria

On 6 February 2023, a powerful and deadly earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria. It is the one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in Turkish and Syrian history. It occurred 34 km (21 mi) west of the city of Gaziantep at 04:17 TRT (01:17 UTC), causing widespread damage and many fatalities in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria. With a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent) and a magnitude of at least M_ww 7.8, the earthquake is tied with the 1939 Erzincan earthquake as the strongest recorded earthquake to hit Turkey in modern times and the deadliest earthquake to strike the country since the 1999 İzmit earthquake.

The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of M_ww 7.5. This aftershock occurred 9 hours later, 4 km (2.5 mi) north–northeast of Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş Province at 13:24 TRT (10:24 UTC). It also had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX. At least 7,236 deaths were reported; 5,434 in Turkey, and 1,832 in Syria.

Tectonic setting

Geology

Map of the Anatolian Plate, featuring the East Anatolian Fault.

The location of the earthquake places it within the vicinity of a triple junction between the Anatolian, Arabian, and African plates. The mechanism and location of the earthquake is consistent with it having occurred on either the East Anatolian Fault zone or the Dead Sea Transform Fault Zone. The East Anatolian Fault accommodates the westward extrusion of Turkey into the Aegean Sea, while the Dead Sea Transform accommodates the northward motion of the Arabia peninsula relative to the Africa and Eurasia plates.

The East Anatolian Fault is a 700-kilometre-long (430 mi) sinistral transform fault which forms the boundary between the Anatolian and Arabian plates. The fault displays slip rates that decrease from the east at 10 mm (0.39 in) per year to the west where it is 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) per year. The fault produced large earthquakes in 1789 (M_w  7.2), 1795 (M_w  7.0), 1872 (M_w  7.2), 1874 (M_w  7.1), 1875 (M_w  6.7), 1893 (M_w  7.1) and 2020 (M_w  6.8). These earthquakes ruptured individual segments of the fault. The seismically active Palu and Pütürge segments in the east display a recurrence interval of about 150 years for M 6.8–7.0 earthquakes. The Pazarcık and Amanos segments in the west have recurrence intervals of 237–772 years and 414–917 years, respectively for M 7.0–7.4 earthquakes.

The Dead Sea Transform extends north–south from the Red Sea to the Maras Triple Junction where it meets the East Anatolian Fault. The northern part of the left-lateral strike-slip fault, in southern Turkey, was the source of at least 14 large historical earthquakes. It most recently produced two large-magnitude earthquakes in 1822 and 1872. The 1872 earthquake killed at least 1,800 people. Earthquakes in 115, 526 or 525, 587, 1169 or 1170 and 1822 resulted in several tens of thousands to several hundred thousand fatalities, respectively.

Seismicity

The region where the 6 February earthquakes occurred is relatively quiet seismologically. Only three earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger have occurred within 250 km (160 mi) of the 6 February earthquakes since 1970. The largest of these, a magnitude 6.7, occurred northeast of the 6 February earthquake on 24 January 2020. All of these earthquakes occurred along or in the vicinity of the East Anatolia fault. Despite the relative seismic quiescence of the epicentral area of the 6 February quake, southern Turkey and northern Syria have experienced significant and damaging earthquakes in the past. Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, was devastated several times historically by large earthquakes, though the precise locations and magnitudes of these earthquakes can only be estimated. Aleppo was struck by an estimated magnitude 7.1 earthquake in 1138 and an estimated magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 1822. Fatality estimates of the 1822 earthquake were 20,000–60,000. In 1114, the city of Marash suffered an earthquake which killed all of the city's 40,000 inhabitants. Major earthquakes affecting the Middle East in 856, 1033 and 1754 have resulted in 200,000, 70,000 and 40,000 deaths, respectively.

Earthquakes

Mainshock

Seismograms of the mainshock (left / top) and the M_ww 7.5 aftershock (right / bottom)

The earthquake struck at 01:17 UTC. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured it at moment magnitude (M_ww ) 7.8, while GEOSCOPE reported a magnitude of 8.0 M_w, and the Global Centroid Moment Tensor (GCMT) measured it at M_w  7.8. It had an epicenter 34 km (21 mi) west of Gaziantep in Gaziantep Province, which is near the border with Syria. It is the strongest ever recorded in Turkey, equaling the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, possibly being surpassed only by the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake. and globally the largest earthquake recorded since August 2021.

The shock had a focal mechanism corresponding to shallow strike-slip faulting. Rupture occurred on either a northwest–southeast striking, northeast dipping or northwest–southeast striking, northwest dipping fault. The USGS estimated a rupture dimension of ~190 km (120 mi) long and ~25 km (16 mi) wide. A professor of geophysics at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia said the earthquake may have ruptured over 300 km (190 mi) of fault. It is thought to have ruptured sections of the East Anatolian Fault and Dead Sea Transform.

Aftershocks

An aftershock measuring M_ww  6.7 occurred about 11 minutes after the mainshock. There were 25 aftershocks M_w 4.0 or greater recorded within six hours of the main tremor, according to the USGS. More than 12 hours later, the USGS had reported at least 54 aftershocks of 4.3 or greater magnitude, while the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) recorded at least 120 aftershocks.

Strong ground motion maps of the mainshock (left / top) and the M_ww  7.5 aftershock (right / bottom)

There was a major aftershock measuring M_ww  7.5, or M_w  7.7 according to GEOSCOPE, and the GCMT. It struck at 10:24 UTC with an epicenter 4 km (2.5 mi) north–northeast of Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş Province. It ruptured along an east–west striking, north dipping or north–south striking, east dipping strike-slip fault. The USGS said the earthquake may have ruptured a separate fault with dimensions of ~120 km (75 mi) long and ~18 km (11 mi) wide, and many early reports described it as a separate earthquake rather than an aftershock. The fault responsible is not part of the East Anatolian Fault. It was followed by two additional mb 6.0 aftershocks.

A scientist at the Seismology Research Centre in Australia said small-magnitude aftershocks can be expected to continue for a year. However, aftershocks that can cause strong shaking could continue in the days to weeks after the mainshock.

Aftershocks of M_w  5.0 or greater

Date	Time (UTC)	M	MMI	Depth	Ref.
6 February	01:26	5.6	VII	17.0 km (10.6 mi)
6 February	01:28	6.7	VIII	14.5 km (9.0 mi)
6 February	01:36	5.6	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	01:58	5.1	-	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	02:03	5.5	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	02:23	5.2	IV	11.4 km (7.1 mi)
6 February	04:18	5.0	VI	14.5 km (9.0 mi)
6 February	10:24	7.5	IX	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	10:26	6.0	VII	20.1 km (12.5 mi)
6 February	10:35	5.8	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	10:51	5.7	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	11:01	5.0	VI	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	11:05	5.2	IV	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	12:02	6.0	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	13:07	5.0	VII	17.1 km (10.6 mi)
6 February	13:39	5.1	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	13:44	5.0	VI	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	15:14	5.3	V	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	15:33	5.2	-	8.8 km (5.5 mi)
6 February	16:43	5.0	VI	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	18:04	5.3	VI	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	20:38	5.3	III	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	20:44	5.0	-	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
6 February	21:58	5.1	II	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
7 February	03:13	5.5	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
7 February	07:11	5.4	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
7 February	10:18	5.4	VII	10.0 km (6.2 mi)
7 February	15:48	5.0	VII	8.3 km (5.2 mi)

Damage and casualties in Turkey

Casualties by Turkish province

Province	Deaths	Injuries	Ref
Adana	146	2,611
Adıyaman	770	400
Batman	0	20
Diyarbakır	92	770
Elazığ	2	376
Gaziantep	481	3,890
Hatay	872	2,766
Kahramanmaraş	530	2,900
Kilis	14	244
Malatya	166	3,298
Mardin	1	0
Osmaniye	293	1,312
Şanlıurfa	95	1,071

In Turkey, a total of at least 4,544 people across 10 provinces died and an additional 26,721 were injured. Some people who were trapped under rubble livestreamed their pleas for help on social media.

Around 11,302 buildings collapsed in 10 provinces across Turkey. Many buildings were destroyed in Adıyaman and Diyarbakır. In Diyarbakır, a shopping mall collapsed. The governor of Osmaniye reported 34 buildings in the province had collapsed.

There were 146 deaths and 2,611 injured in Adana Province. Two apartment buildings, including one 17 stories high, collapsed, killing at least 10 people, with Adana city receiving a total of 58 deaths and 720 injuries.

At least 166 fatalities and 3,298 injuries were reported in Malatya Province. At least 300 buildings were razed in Malatya. The ceiling of Malatya Erhaç Airport experienced a partial collapse,, as did the 13th-century Yeni Camii mosque.

In Gaziantep Province, at least 481 people were killed and 3,890 others were injured. Many historical sites were significantly damaged, including the iconic Gaziantep Castle.

The wreckage of a collapsed building, Galeria Business Center, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

In Hatay Province, 872 people died, 2,766 were injured, and an unknown number of people were trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings. At least 1,200 buildings in Antakya, and the districts of Kırıkhan and İskenderun were razed. The runway of the Hatay Airport was split and uplifted, leading to flight cancellations. Two provincial hospitals and a police station were destroyed, and a gas pipeline exploded. The building that was the assembly of Hatay State was destroyed. In Antakya's Güzelburç district, several dozen buildings were destroyed. In the city's central and Cebrail districts, where many buildings have been around for 40–50 years, nearly every house collapsed. At the İskenderun Port, a large fire broke out. Most of the squad and coaching staff of the local football club Hatayspor were initially trapped in the collapse of their headquarters in Antakya before being rescued, with Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu, pulled out after more than a day "with injuries", while sporting director Taner Savut was confirmed to still be under the rubble.

Prior to the magnitude 7.5 earthquake hitting Kahramanmaraş, at least 530 deaths and 2,900 injuries were confirmed in the city.. The Interior Ministry later confirmed that 941 buildings in the city had totally collapsed.

In Musabeyli, a small town in Kilis Province, at least 14 people died and 244 others were injured. In Osmaniye Province, at least 293 people died, 1,312 people were injured and 101 buildings collapsed. In Adıyaman Province, 770 people died and over 400 were injured, while over 600 buildings collapsed, including Adıyaman's city hall. In Şanlıurfa Province, 95 people were killed, 1,071 were injured and nineteen buildings collapsed.

In Kızıltepe District, Mardin Province, a woman died of a heart attack upon experiencing the quake. In Batman Province, 20 people were injured, one of them seriously, two houses collapsed and 38 others were damaged. In Bingöl Province, several houses cracked and some livestock were killed by collapsing barns. Two people died, 376 were injured, and an unoccupied apartment building was damaged, and later collapsed after the second mainshock in Elazığ. In Sivas Province, an adobe house and another building were damaged by the tremors. Three Turkish soldiers also died during rescue operations. In Diyarbakır Province, there were 92 deaths and 770 injured.

Those confirmed deceased included member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for Adiyaman Yakup Taş, and Yeni Malatyaspor goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, who was killed by rubble from a collapsed building.

Damage and casualties in Syria

At least 1,832 people were killed and 3,749 were injured in Syria. The Syrian Ministry of Health recorded over 812 earthquake-related deaths and 1,449 injuries in the provinces of Aleppo, Idleb, Latakia, Hama, Tartus. More than 200 died in the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. In rebel-held areas, at least 1,020 people died, while 2,200 others were injured.

In the village of Atme, 11 people died and many residents were buried. In addition, civilians were stuck under the rubble for hours due to the lack of rescue teams in several villages such as Atarib, Besnia, Jindires, Maland, Salqin and Sarmada. In Latakia, at least 150 people died and 350 others were injured. Seventeen people were killed and 23 injured in Hama.

The President of the Syrian American Medical Society, Amjad Rass, said emergency rooms were packed with injured. In Idlib Governorate, a hospital received 30 bodies. A further 1,089 were injured in government-controlled areas, while in rebel-controlled areas the number of injured stood at 419. Footballer Nader Joukhadar, who played for the national team, was killed alongside his son when their home collapsed in Jableh.

According to the International Rescue Committee, the earthquake struck when rebel-held areas were preparing for a blizzard and experiencing a cholera outbreak. In Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, 46 buildings collapsed. The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums said various archeological sites across the city were extensively cracked or collapsed. In Rajo, a prison facility experienced cracked walls and doors. At least 20 prisoners, believed to be Islamic State members, escaped the facility.

In Hama, an eight-story building collapsed, trapping 125 people inside. In Damascus, many people fled from their homes onto the streets. Many buildings in Syria had already been damaged by an almost 12-year-long civil war. The Crusader-built castle Margat suffered damage, with part of a tower and parts of some walls collapsing. The Citadel of Aleppo was also affected. A total of 490 adobe buildings had partially or fully collapsed, while thousands of others were damaged in northwestern Syria. In Jindires, at least 50 homes were razed; among the deaths were a family of 7—the only survivor was a newborn.

Foreign casualties

Casualties by country, all nationalities

Country	Deaths	Injuries	Ref.
Palestine	55
Lebanon	4
Uzbekistan	1

At least 55 Palestinians were killed in both Turkey and Syria during the quake. Four Lebanese nationals were also killed in both countries: two victims were from Tripoli and died in Latakia, while the two others were from Wadi Khaled and died in Gaziantep. A citizen from Uzbekistan was killed in Malatya; four more Uzbeks are missing.

An Italian man is missing in Turkey and reported under debris. Three British nationals are also missing, as announced by foreign secretary James Cleverly during a Commons session in Parliament. A man with a dual Bulgarian-Turkish citizenship was also reported missing in İskenderun.

Effects in other countries

In Lebanon, residents were awakened from their sleep. Buildings in the country shook for up to 40 seconds. In Beirut, residents fled their homes and stayed in streets or drove in their vehicles to flee from buildings. Overall, the earthquake's impact on Lebanon was limited, with some buildings damaged in the cities of Miniyeh, El Mina, and Bourj Hammoud, and one house collapsed in Rashaya.

In Ashdod, Israel, a building was evacuated after cracks were observed on a pillar, and in Nicosia, Cyprus, some windows cracked, and the wall of a house collapsed, damaging two nearby vehicles.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said shaking was felt in Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Russia. In Iraq, fans, frames and other hanging objects were heavily shaking. There, many residents stayed outdoors while waiting for an announcement that it was safe to return to their homes. An aftershock hit hours later, causing buildings to be evacuated. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

Tremors were detected in Greenland, 5,509 km (3,423 mi) from the earthquake's epicenter, and also in Denmark, according to the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

Estimation of losses

According to a professor of geophysics at the Kandilli Observatory, the death toll could be similar to the 1999 İzmit earthquake, in which 18,373 people died. On 6 February, when the death toll was over 3,400, the World Health Organisation warned that it could be 8 times higher, possibly reaching as high as 20,000 casualties due to complications stemming from aftershocks and sub-freezing conditions.

The United States Geological Survey PAGER service estimated a 34 percent probability of economic losses between US$1 billion and US$10 billion. There was a 30 percent probability of economic losses between US$10 billion and US$100 billion. The service estimated a 47 percent probability of deaths between 1,000 and 10,000; 20 percent probability of deaths between 10,000 and 100,000. This estimate was made before the aftershock of a similar intensity hit—there was a 41 percent probability of between 100 and 1,000 deaths associated with the violent aftershock. Meanwhile, Risklayer estimated a death toll of between 9,930 and 64,800, and an economic loss of around $20 billion USD (₺370 billion lira, 50 trillion LS.)

Following the earthquakes, the Turkish lira value struck a record low of 18.85 against the US dollar. Turkish stock markets fell; main equities benchmark fell as much as 5 percent and banks fell 5.5 percent but recovered from the losses. The country's main stock market dropped 1.35% on 6 February.

Tsunami alert

Small tsunami waves were recorded off the coast of Famagusta, Cyprus, without damage, according to the Geological Survey Department.

The Civil Protection Department of Italy issued an alert, which was later withdrawn, reporting the risk of possible tsunami waves striking the coasts of Sicily, Calabria and Apulia. Coastal residents in the aforementioned regions were advised to flee to higher ground and follow local authorities, while state-owned train operator Trenitalia temporarily suspended rail services in the areas, which were later resumed the same morning.

The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics of Egypt issued a tsunami warning for the eastern Mediterranean Sea area, including the Egyptian coast. The warnings were subsequently withdrawn.

Response

Turkey

Rescue work at the destroyed Galeria Business Center in Diyarbakır. One of the buildings in the background later collapsed following an aftershock.

President's national mourning decision

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Twitter, "search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched" to the affected area. Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu urged residents to refrain from entering damaged buildings. On 7 February, President Erdoğan declared a 3-month state of emergency in the 10 affected provinces.

The national government declared a "level four alert" to appeal for international aid. According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, 25,000 search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the 10 affected provinces. At least 70 countries offered to help in search and rescue operations.

An "air aid corridor" was established by the Turkish Armed Forces to mobilize search and rescue teams. Many military aircraft including an Airbus A400M and C-130 Hercules planes transported search and rescue teams and vehicles to the area. Food, blankets and psychological teams were also sent. Turkey sent an official request to NATO and allies for assistance.

Flags are lowered because of national mourning

In an official statement, Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Kasapoğlu announced that every national championship would be suspended with immediate effect, until further communications. Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer ordered a week-long closure of all schools in the country.

Emergency services in Turkey rushed to search for survivors trapped under many collapsed buildings. On 6 February, more than 7,800 people were rescued from rubble across 10 provinces. In Adana, people could be heard shouting from under debris. Cranes and emergency teams in Diyarbakir attended to a pancaked apartment building.

Over 53,000 turkey emergency workers were deployed to the regions affected from the earthquakes. A team of 90 miners from Soma arrived at Osmaniye to provide assistance. The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality also sent dozens of vehicles and equipment.

Poor weather conditions including snow, rain and freezing temperatures disrupted search and rescue efforts undertaken by rescue workers and civilians. Rescuers and volunteers wore winter clothing while searching for survivors.

President Erdoğan had phone calls with governors and mayors from the disaster effected areas. Erdoğan declared 7 days of national mourning in Turkey by posting on his Twitter page.

Due to below-freezing temperatures in the affected areas in both Turkey and Syria, the mayor of Hatay, Lütfü Savaş, warned about the hypothermia risk. Several tens of thousands of people across the region were left homeless and spent the night in cold weather. Mosques in Turkey were used as shelters for people unable to return to their homes amid freezing temperatures. In Gaziantep, people sought refuge in shopping malls, stadiums, community centers, and mosques. Officials plan to open hotels in Antalya to temporarily accommodate the affected population.

Syria

Syrian media reported a large number of buildings collapsing in the northern Aleppo Governorate, as well as several in the city of Hama. In Damascus, many people fled from their homes onto the streets. Syria's National Earthquake Centre said the earthquake is "the biggest earthquake recorded" in its operational history. According to SANA, the state news agency, President Bashar al-Assad held an emergency meeting with his cabinet to organize a rescue plan in the most hit regions.

Sanctions imposed in relation to the Syrian civil war have exacerbated the hardship of average Syrians, as nations and organizations would not be able to offer direct assistance for fear of being subjected to sanctions. There were demands to lift or suspend the sanctions in order to aid humanitarian efforts following the earthquake. The Syrian government appealed to UN member states, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations for international aid.

Following orders from President al-Assad, all teams of the civil defense, firefighting, health, public construction groups were mobilized to Aleppo. On 7 February, an Iranian aircraft carrying 45 tons of humanitarian aid arrived at Damascus International Airport. The humanitarial supplies included blankets, tents, medicines and food. Two aircraft from Iraq also arrived at the airport to deliver 70 tons of foodstuffs, medical supplies, blankets and other aid supplies.

International humanitarian effort

Main article: Humanitarian response to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake

Countries

Countries that offered help or condolences to Turkey after the earthquakes (Dark blue: Turkey)

Leaders of many countries offered condolences. More than 60 countries offered practical support and humanitarian aid. The United Kingdom, Greece, Romania, Iran, India, Israel, Moldova, Pakistan, Switzerland, Brazil and Mexico pledged search and rescue specialists, equipment, and search dogs. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered Russian forces in Syria to help with the rescue effort.

The Indian Air Force airlifts National Disaster Response Force along with equipment and rescue dogs to Turkey.

India has sent the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to Turkey along with the Indian Army's medical team, consisting of 99 members from the Agra-based 60 Para Field Hospital. The medical team includes critical care specialist teams, including an orthopaedic surgical team and general surgical specialist team. They are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, an oxygen generation plant, cardiac monitors and other equipment to establish a 30-bedded medical facility. The first Indian Air Force plane carrying disaster relief material and rescue team reached Adana. India will be sending two more C17 aircraft with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to quake-hit Turkey. The first NDRF team consisted of 50 personnel and a specially trained dog squad along with necessary equipment, including medical supplies, drilling machines and other equipment required for the aid efforts.

Pakistan (NDMA) sent all available resources, including winterized tents, blankets and other critical life-saving supplies. Teams of doctors, paramedics, nursing staff, and technicians trained to operate in disaster-hit areas have been dispatched with their equipment and medicines. Pakistan also sent two C-130 planes carrying relief and 36 search and rescue personnel. The Minister for Railways said that a (PIA) airplane will take a 51-member rescue team to Istanbul.

Azerbaijan dispatched a search and rescue team of 370 people to Turkey. The ministry also sent another aircraft carrying first aid kits, tents, bedding, medical supplies, and other necessary equipment to help those affected. Greece will send a team of 21 firefighters, 2 rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle as well as fire brigade officer-engineer, 5 doctors and rescuers from the National Center for Emergency Care. Iran delivered 45 tons of pharmaceutical, food, and health assistance to Syria. Bassem Masour, the head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, said more planeloads of humanitarian aid are arriving.

China, Taiwan, and Belgium offered monetary support and sent additional personnel to help in the relief effort.

In a press conference, Erdogan stated that more than 18 country leaders and prime minister called by phone to offer for support to Turkey.

Organisations

Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for international assistance to help those affected by "this humanitarian catastrophe". The European Union's High Representative Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said in a statement that ten rescue teams from various member states would be dispatched to Turkey. The Copernicus Programme was also activated to provide emergency mapping services. European Civil Protection Mechanism, which Turkey is also a member of, was also activated at the request of Turkey. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg also said that member countries were mobilizing support.

Several United Nations agencies announced coordinated responses to the disaster, including UNDAC, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF and IOM. The World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, said the organization's regional offices were assisting international efforts to transport medicine and relief equipment.

The Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian, non-governmental agency, said that they would provide direct support to those most affected across Syria. They appealed to the international community for the immediate mobilisation of financial resources to support collective relief efforts in Syria and southern Turkey. CARE Australia launched an emergency appeal to provide emergency aid including food, shelter, water and other lifesaving supplies to those affected by the earthquakes.

See also

• Greek–Turkish earthquake diplomacy
• List of deadly earthquakes since 1900
• List of earthquakes in 2023
• List of earthquakes in the Levant
• Lists of 21st-century earthquakes

External links

• ReliefWeb's main page for this event.