2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes

2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake

Clockwise from top left: a Turkish flag flown at half-mast; a man sitting on a sidewalk in front of collapsed buildings; people surveying the damage after the earthquake; a collapsed police station; displaced earthquake victims take shelter at an exhibition center.
800km 500miles    Map and epicentre of the mainshock
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 a.m. TRT (UTC+3)
Magnitude	Mw 7.8
Depth	17.9 km (11 mi)
Epicenter	37.166°N 37.032°E / 37.166; 37.032
Type	Strike-slip
Areas affected	Predominantly Turkey and Syria
Total damage	>$5-8 billion USD (estimated)
Max. intensity	MMI XI (Extreme)
Peak acceleration	2.14 g
Tsunami	0.17 m (6.7 in)
Aftershocks	2,103 (by 11 February) 180+ with a Mw 4.0 or greater Largest: Mw  7.7 at 13:24 TRT (UTC+3), 6 February 2023
Casualties	>27,510 deaths, 87,560 injuries >22,320 deaths, 80,270 injured in Turkey >5,180 deaths, 7,280 injured in Syria
Citations

On 6 February 2023, an earthquake struck southern and central Turkey, and northern and western Syria. It occurred 34 km (21 mi) west of the city of Gaziantep at 04:17 AM TRT (01:17 UTC), with a magnitude of at least M_w 7.8, and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). There was widespread damage and tens of thousands of fatalities. It was the deadliest and strongest earthquake in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, of the same magnitude, together with which it is the second strongest in the history of the country after 1668 North Anatolia earthquake. It was also the deadliest earthquake to have affected Syria since the 1822 Aleppo earthquake, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the Levant, and the deadliest earthquake worldwide since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It was felt and caused structural damage as far as Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, and the Black Sea coast of Turkey.

The earthquake had more than 1,000 aftershocks, including an unusually powerful M_w 7.7 nine hours after the mainshock. As of 10 February, more than 27,500 deaths had been reported; 22,300 in Turkey and 5,100 in Syria. A large winter storm hampered rescue efforts, dropping snow on the ruins and bringing plummeting temperatures. Due to the freezing temperatures in the area, survivors, especially those trapped under rubble, are at a great risk of hypothermia.

Tectonic setting

Main articles: Geology of Turkey and Geology of Syria

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 are consistent with it having occurred in 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 7.2), 1795 (M 7.0), 1872 (M 7.2), 1874 (M 7.1), 1875 (M 6.7), 1893 (M 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.

Unlike along the North Anatolian Fault which produced 11 large earthquakes during the 20th century, the East Anatolian Fault was seismically quiet. The Palu–Sincik and Çelikhan–Türkoglu segments were identified as seismic gaps. Up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and 5.2 m (17 ft) of slip have accumulated along the Palu–Sincik and Çelikhan–Türkoglu segments, respectively, since major earthquakes. These segments has accumulated enough strain to produce M_w  7.4 and 7.7 earthquakes. The Palu–Sincik segment measures 135 km (84 mi); consisting of the Palu-Sivrice (50 km (31 mi)) and Sivrice-Sincik (85 km (53 mi)) segments; located between Palu, Elazığ and Sincik. The 1874 and 1875 earthquakes occurred along the Palu–Sincik segment. The Çelikhan–Türkoglu segment runs for 140 km (87 mi); it comprises the Çelikhan–Gölbas (50 km (31 mi)) and Gölbas–Türkoglu (90 km (56 mi)) segments. The last known major earthquake on the Çelikhan–Türkoglu segment occurred in 1513, estimated at magnitude 7.4.

The Dead Sea Transform extends north–south from the Red Sea to the Marash 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, 587, 1170 and 1822 resulted in several tens of thousands to several hundred thousand fatalities.

Seismicity

The region where the 6 February earthquakes occurred is relatively quiet seismologically. Only five earthquakes (1905, 1945, 1986, 1998) of magnitude 6.0 or larger have occurred within 250 km (160 mi) of the 6 February earthquakes since 1905. The largest of these, a magnitude 6.7, occurred on 24 January 2020 northeast of the first 6 February earthquake. All of these earthquakes occurred along or in the vicinity of the East Anatolian 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

Mainshock

Strong ground motion map

Seismogram

The earthquake struck at 01:17 AM UTC. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Global Centroid Moment Tensor (GCMT) measured it at moment magnitude M_ww 7.8 and M_w  7.8, respectively. GEOSCOPE reported a magnitude of M_w 8.0. It had an epicenter at 37°9′57.6″N 37°1′55.2″E, 34 km (21 mi) west of Gaziantep in Gaziantep Province, which is near the border with Syria. The earthquake hypocenter was at a depth of 17.9 km (11 mi).

The shock had a focal mechanism corresponding to shallow strike-slip faulting. Rupture occurred on either a northeast–southwest striking and northeast dipping or northeast–southwest striking and northwest dipping fault.

It is one of the strongest ever recorded in Turkey, matching the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, possibly being surpassed only by the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake, and globally the strongest recorded since August 2021.

Foreshock and aftershocks

The M_ww 7.5 aftershock

Strong ground motion map

Seismogram

For a more comprehensive list, see List of aftershocks of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.

A foreshock measuring mb  4.2 struck 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Bahçe, Osmaniye Province, on 3 February.

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 total aftershocks.

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. and many early reports described it as a separate earthquake rather than an aftershock. 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	7.7	X	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)
7 February	18:10	5.3	IV	18.1 km (11.2 mi)
8 February	11:11	5.4	VI	7.5 km (4.7 mi)
8 February	14:20	5.1	–	5.9 km (3.7 mi)
Notes   Magnitude 7.0 or greater   Magnitude 6.0–6.9   Magnitude 5.4–5.9

Seismology

See also: Earthquake rupture

Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and a University of Washington professor, said the East Anatolian Fault has a long seismic record and was identified as a seismically hazardous area. No earthquakes greater than magnitude 7.0 have been recorded on the fault since the instrumental period. In historic times however, earthquakes up to magnitude 7.4 occurred. Tobin said the 6 February earthquakes were "larger than what was most likely anticipated". He added that it is not uncommon for rupture on one fault to trigger rupture on another. The 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes in California were produced by rupture along two faults.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake rupture is among the largest inland strike-slip earthquake rupture in the world—comparable to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake which ruptured along the San Andreas Fault. 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. Shinji Toda, a seismologist at Tohoku University, called it the "worst inland shallow earthquake" of the century.

Large inland strike-slip earthquakes have occurred in the past. In 1905, two M_w 8.0+ inland earthquakes struck Mongolia, producing a combined 676 km (420 mi) of surface rupture. The sequence began with the Tsetserleg earthquake. The Bulnay earthquake which occurred 14 days later generated about 388 km (241 mi) of surface rupture striking east–west. In 2002, a M_w 7.9 earthquake occurred in Alaska; it ruptured the Denali and Totschunda faults, producing 340 km (210 mi) of surface rupture on both faults.

A source model produced by the USGS indicated the M_ww 7.8 earthquake ruptured two fault segments for a combined length exceeding nearly 50 km (31 mi) long and 30 km (19 mi) wide. The rupture occurred on an approximately 60 km (37 mi), north–south striking, east dipping fault near the Mediterranean coast. An approximately 300 km (190 mi) segment striking northeast–southwest also ruptured. The mainshock produced a maximum slip of 3.4 m (11 ft).

The M_ww 7.5 earthquake which struck nine hours later ruptured an asperity on the fault with dimensions of ~120 km (75 mi) long and ~18 km (11 mi) wide, producing up to 10.9 m (36 ft) of slip according to the USGS. The fault responsible is not part of the East Anatolian Fault.

Strong ground motion

See also: Strong ground motion and Spectral acceleration

Three USGS seismic installations, two at Antakya and one at Hassa, recorded large ground accelerations and velocities. Hassa recorded 0.9082 g in ground acceleration (pga) and 215.34 cm/s (84.78 in/s) in ground velocity. The station data corresponded to a Modified Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The peak ground acceleration was 2.14 g recorded by a station at Pazarcık.

The maximum Modified Mercalli intensities for the M_w  7.8 and 7.7 earthquakes were estimated at XI and X, respectively.

Geological effects

Major land subsidence occurred in İskenderun, causing the sea to inundate parts of the city by as much as 200 m (660 ft) inland. Subsidence may have been the result of rupture along a splay fault which produced vertical ground displacement. Director of the eCoast Marine Consulting and Research in New Zealand, Jose Borrero, said subsidence of this scale is expected from a large earthquake. Similar instances of subsidence also occurred in Gölcük during the 1999 İzmit earthquake and in Kaikōura during the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. The effects of liquefaction, large waves from bad weather, and a tsunami may have contributed to the effects observed at İskenderun.

Damage and casualties

In Turkey

Casualties by Turkish province (as of 9 February 2023)

Province	Deaths	Injuries
Adana	408	7,450
Adıyaman	3,105	11,778
Batman	0	20
Diyarbakır	255	901
Elazığ	5	379
Gaziantep	2,141	11,563
Hatay	5,111	15,613
Kahramanmaraş	5,323	9,243
Kilis	22	518
Malatya	289	7,300
Osmaniye	878	2,224
Şanlıurfa	304	4,663

In total there have been at least 21,043 deaths across 10 provinces and an additional 80,104 people were injured. At least 13.5 million people and 4 million buildings were affected. Thousands were trapped under rubble when buildings collapsed. Some of those trapped livestreamed their pleas for help on social media. Around 12,141 buildings collapsed in 10 provinces across Turkey. The earthquake caused broad fissures on roads. Total costs of the earthquake are estimated at a minimal of $5-8 billion US dollars; $3-5 billion on rebuilding damaged buildings, and an additional $2-3 billion on supporting affected people.

Turkish provinces significantly affected by the earthquake

Many buildings were destroyed in Adıyaman and Diyarbakır, where a shopping mall collapsed. Diyarbakır Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also partly destroyed, while damage was also reported in structures at the adjacent World Heritage Site of Hevsel Gardens. A total of 255 people were killed and 901 others were injured in Diyarbakır Province.

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

There were 408 deaths and 7,450 injured in Adana Province. Adana Şakirpaşa Airport was closed due to runway damage. At least 289 fatalities and 7,300 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 historic Yeni Camii mosque.

In Gaziantep Province, at least 2,141 people were killed and 11,563 others were injured. Many historical sites were significantly damaged, such as Gaziantep Castle and Şirvani Mosque. Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport was forced to restrict its service to rescue flights. In towns such as Nurdağı, mass graves were created to bury the overwhelming number of dead—an imam said up to 40 percent of the town's population, or about 16,300 residents, had died.

File:Gaziantep castle before after.jpg

An image showing the Gaziantep Castle before and after the earthquake.

In Hatay Province, 5,111 people died, 6,200 were injured, and an unknown number of people were trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings. At least 2,749 buildings in Antakya, and the districts of Kırıkhan and İskenderun were razed. The runway of Hatay Airport was split and uplifted, leading to flight cancellations. Ankara Metropolitan Municipality started repairing the damaged airport. 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. 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, but sporting director Taner Savut was confirmed to still be under the rubble.

Bodies at the Training and Research Hospital in Adıyaman

In İskenderun, an industrial city in Hatay Province, a large fire broke out at the port, forcing its closure and the diversion of many ships. Many cargo containers caught fire and a large plume of smoke was observed, while dozens of shipping containers toppled. The blaze, which was believed to have originated from a container carrying flammable industrial oil, was first reported on 6 February at 17:00 local time. There were unsuccessful attempts to put out the fire that night. It was extinguished by the coast guard on 6 February; but reignited the next day. The Turkish defense ministry finally confirmed on the afternoon of 8 February that it had completely extinguished the blaze, only for it to reignite on February 9. Flooding occurred along the city shoreline, inundating streets as much as 200 m (660 ft) inland. The Cathedral of the Annunciation, seat of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia, was almost completely destroyed.

In Kahramanmaraş, there were at least 5,323 deaths including 4,493 buried under rubble, and 9,243 people injured. Mass burials occurred in the city. The Interior Ministry later confirmed that 941 buildings there had totally collapsed. During recovery efforts, body parts were often found in the rubble.

In Kilis Province, at least 22 people died and 518 others were injured. In Osmaniye Province, at least 878 people died, 2,224 people were injured and 101 buildings collapsed. In Adıyaman Province, at least 3,105 people died and 9,718 were injured, while over 600 buildings collapsed, including Adıyaman's city hall. In Şanlıurfa Province, at least 304 people were killed, 4,663 were injured and 19 buildings collapsed.

Destroyed buildings in Hatay, Turkey

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. Five people died and 379 were injured. An unoccupied apartment building was damaged, and later collapsed after the major M_ww 7.5 aftershock in Elazığ. In Sivas Province, an adobe house and another building were damaged by the tremors. Three Turkish soldiers also died during rescue operations.

Those confirmed deceased included member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for Adıyaman Yakup Taş, and Yeni Malatyaspor goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, who was killed by rubble from a collapsed building. Former MP Sıtkı Güvenç died from earthquake injuries on 9 February.

In Syria

File:Syria earthquake damage 1.jpg

Collapsed building in Syria

At least 5,189 people were killed and 7,285 were injured in Syria. The Syrian Ministry of Health recorded over 2,049 earthquake-related deaths and 2,950 injuries in government held areas, most of which were in the provinces of Aleppo and Latakia. In rebel-held areas, at least 3,140 people died, while 2,200 others were injured. Across the country, more than 200 children and 164 women were among the dead. Up to 5.37 million people across Syria might have been made homeless and are in need of shelter, said Sivanka Dhanapala, Syria's representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Hundreds were killed in the towns of Jindires and Atarib. In Jableh, at least 283 people died, 173 were injured and 19 buildings collapsed. On 9 February, the death toll at Jableh stood at 283; 173 were injured and 19 buildings collapsed. Four bodies were recovered and 15 bodies were in the process of recovery during debris clearance on 10 February. In the village of Atme, 11 people died and many residents were buried. 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, including 46 students and teachers, died and 350 others were injured. At least 48 people were killed in Hama. At least 43 of these deaths occurred when an eight-story building collapsed, which also lead to 75 injuries and trapping a total of 125 people.

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. 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, dozens of buildings collapsed and more than 400 people died. By 6 February, the bodies of 210 victims were returned to their families. The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums said various archeological sites across the city were extensively cracked or collapsed. Cracks were also reported in the outer façade of the Aleppo National Museum. In Atarib, Aleppo, the Syrian American Medical Society hospital said 120 bodies were recovered. About 20,000 homes were affected in Aleppo, putting 70,000 people without homes. In Rajo, a prison facility experienced cracked walls and doors. At least 20 prisoners, believed to be Daesh (ISIS) members, escaped the facility.

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. The minaret of the Grand Mosque in Kobanî was also damaged. In Jindires, at least 250 buildings were razed; among the deaths were a family of 7—the only survivor was a newborn. The Minister of Education said at least 248 schools across the region were damaged.

The Associated Press, citing local residents, reported that the Afrin Dam suffered cracks. On 9 February at 04:00, the dam burst and flooded the village of Al-Tloul. Heavy rain also caused a river to swell. Water from the dam caused a river to swell and flood the surrounding area. Almost all of its residents were forced to leave the village; about 500 families were displaced. According to Reuters, citing local residents, between 35 and 40 people died and most buildings in Al-Tloul were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake.

Foreign casualties

Foreign casualties by country, all nationalities

Country	Deaths in
Syria	975
Afghanistan	150	—
Palestine	32	51
Northern Cyprus	29	—
Armenia	9	2
Iraq	7	—
Italy	6	—
France	4	—
Azerbaijan	4	—
Morocco	4	—
Yemen	4	—
Georgia	3	—
Iran	3	—
Lebanon	3	3
Moldova	3	—
Netherlands	3	—
United States	3	—
Algeria	2	—
Australia	2	—
Austria	2	—
Egypt	2	—
Greece	2	—
Indonesia	2	—
Kazakhstan	2	—
Philippines	2	—
Ukraine	2	—
Belgium	1	—
Bulgaria	1	—
Colombia	1	—
Czech Republic	1	—
India	1	—
Jordan	1	—
Russia	1	—
Saudi Arabia	1	—
Serbia	1	—
Sudan	1	—
Thailand	1	—
Uzbekistan	1	—

At least 975 Syrians residing in Turkey were killed, the vast majority of them in Hatay Province. According to Turkey's Presidency of Migration Management 1.75 million Syrians live in southern Turkey; 460,150 in Gaziantep; 354,000 in Antakya; 368,000 in Şanlıurfa; 250,000 in Adana. On 6 and 7 February, Turkey's health ministry returned the bodies of 135 Syrian victims across the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing to relatives. At least seven Iraqi refugees also died in Turkey.

According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry around 150 Afghan citizens were killed in Turkey. Most of these Afghans were refugees who fled the country after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Eighty-three Palestinians were killed, 51 of whom in Syria and 30 in Turkey. Nine Armenians died in Turkey, including an entire family of three in Malatya. Another two died in Syria. Six Lebanese nationals were killed in both countries: three died in Turkey and three more in Syria.

An Italian family of six, two Egyptian nationals, two Algerian nationals, a woman from Moldova and her two children, and a Belgian tourist were killed in Hatay. Two Australian men were also killed, one of them in Hatay.

A Thai woman and a child from Bulgaria were both killed in Iskenderun, while a citizen of Uzbekistan was killed in Malatya. An Indonesian woman and her one-year-old child and two Austrian nationals were killed in Kahramanmaraş. Four Yemeni nationals were killed in the city of Malatya, including an entire family of three; an Indian man also died in the city. A Russian national was also killed, according to TASS.

Four Moroccan citizens, four French citizens, four Azerbaijani women, three people from the Netherlands, three people from Georgia, three Americans, two Greeks, two Kazakhstanis, two Ukrainians, two Filipinos, a Colombian woman, a Czech woman, an eight-year-old child from Serbia, a Saudi, a Jordanian and a Sudanese national were also killed in Turkey.

Nineteen students, two teachers and a parent from Northern Cyprus died when a hotel in Adiyaman collapsed. Seven other Turkish Cypriots died in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş. Three players from Iran's national football team for the disabled died in Turkey.

Hatayspor's Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu was among several team players and coaching staff trapped in the collapse of their club's headquarters in Antakya. On 7 February, he was reported to be in a stable condition in hospital, though the following day, manager Volkan Demirel said he was still missing.

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 Tripoli, 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. 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, Palestine, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, 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.

Estimations 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 Organization 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 USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (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 estimates a death toll of between 23,284 and 105,671, and an economic loss of around $20 billion USD (₺370 billion lira, 50 trillion LS.)

According to geophysics professor, Ovgun Ahmet Ercan, "180,000 people or more may be trapped under the rubble, nearly all of them dead."

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 percent on 6 February. The Borsa Istanbul fell 8.6 percent on 7 February, and declined by more than 7 percent on the morning of 8 February before trading was suspended; the exchange then announced it will close for five days.

Tsunami

Small tsunami waves were recorded off the coast of Famagusta, Cyprus, without damage, according to the Geological Survey Department. The tsunami measured 0.17 m (6.7 in) at Famagusta, and tsunami waves were recorded at 0.12 m (4.7 in) at İskenderun and 0.13 m (5.1 in) at Erdemli.

Warnings

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.

Aftermath

Turkey

See also: Architecture of Turkey § Earthquakes

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.

Emergency services in Turkey rushed to search for survivors trapped under many collapsed buildings. On 8 February, more than 8,000 people were rescued from rubble across 10 provinces. About 380,000 people individuals have taken refuge at relief shelters or hotels.

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.

In the morning of 7 February, Turkey accused YPG of having overseen an MRL attack on its border checkpoint, and that the Turkish army has responded with further attacks. The Kurdish Red Crescent and Kamal Sido from the Society for Threatened Peoples later accused Turkey of airstrikes against the Kurdish population around Tell Rifaat also after the earthquake. Sido demanded from Turkey to open the borders to Syria for humanitarian aid just as they were open for Islamists.

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, which was later extended to two weeks. Universities in Turkey were also closed until further notice.

Over 53,000 Turkish 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. Damaged roads also slowed down aid delivery.

President Erdoğan had phone calls with governors and mayors from the disaster affected areas, excluding Hatay. He 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. Officials plan to open hotels in Antalya, Alanya and Mersin to temporarily accommodate the affected population. Authorities were slammed by residents in Hatay Province, who criticized the insufficient search and rescue efforts. Hatay Airport's runway was heavily damaged, making rescue efforts challenging. On 7 February, authorities said 1,846 people in the province have been rescued.

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. Nearly 250,000 displaced persons resided in schools across Malatya Province. At least 24 mobile kitchens from vocational schools in the province were distributed across the affected areas.

Turkish police on 7 February said they had detained four people over "provocative posts aiming to create fear and panic" on social media following the earthquake. It added that a wider investigation into social media accounts was ongoing, but offered no information on the content of the posts. The number of detentions increased to a dozen on 8 February.

Turkish Airlines said it would provide free flights from the provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Malatya, Elazığ and Kahramanmaraş. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority opened an invitation for citizen volunteers to help with rescue efforts in the affected area. Thousands of volunteers arrived at Istanbul Airport. Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, said it has flown 11,780 volunteers on 80 flights to Adana, Gaziantep, Adiyaman and Şanlıurfa.

Netblocks announced that ICTA (in Turkish: BTK) limited access to Twitter from Turkey with Turkish government officials claiming disinformation.

On 8 February, Erdoğan visited the town of Pazarcık, Kahramanmaraş Province and Hatay Province. He acknowledged "shortcomings" in the response to the earthquake, but denied that there was an insufficient number of personnel involved in rescue operations. He also described people saying they hadn't seen security forces at all in some areas as "provocateurs".

In Adıyaman, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu and Governor Mahmut Çuhadar were met with protests by the local population. The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of the CHP, pinned responsibility on the scale of the disaster on President Erdoğan. Questions also arose as to how an "earthquake tax" (officially "special communications tax" - "özel iletişim vergisi" - see also Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu) levied by the Turkish government in the wake of the 1999 Izmit earthquake, estimated to have reached 88bn lira ($4.6bn; £3.8bn) and meant to have been spent on disaster prevention and the development of emergency services, was being spent, given how the government has never given a public explanation.

On 9 February, after touring the city of Gaziantep, Erdoğan promised to rebuild destroyed homes of quake survivors within one year. He also said the government is working on temporary accommodation for those made homeless.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) declared a ceasefire in its conflict with Turkey.

On 10 February, while touring Adıyaman Province, president Erdoğan reiterated the promise to rebuild all homes within one year, and added that the government will subsidize rents for those unwilling to stay in tents. He later more than 141,000 rescue personnel, including foreign teams, were working in the 10 affected provinces, that 100 billion lira (US$5.3 billion) were allocated to the disaster response, and that the government will pay compensation to those who have lost their homes. Ministry of Justice Bekir Bozdağ announced the initiation of judicial investigations against builders in the regions affected.

On 11 February, German and Austrian rescuers deployed to the province of Hatay in Turkey suspended operations, citing a worsening security situation stemming from "the shortage of food and the problematic water supply in the area".

Prison riot

On 9 February, three inmates were killed and 12 more injured after soldiers opened fire during a prison riot in Hatay. The prisoners were demanding to see their families affected by the earthquake.

Criticism of government

See also: Seismic code

The collapse of many newly constructed buildings during the earthquakes caused public anger and doubts in building safety standards. After the destructive İzmit earthquake of 1999, new building codes were passed to make buildings more resilient to earthquakes. The quality of the concrete is often a source of collapse, especially in older buildings, but in some cases the engineering and design of newer high rise buildings, and improper placement of support columns and beams, may have contributed to collapse. The building codes, last updated in 2018, have requirements for engineering design and construction quality as well as material quality. There have long been complaints that the building codes are weakly enforced. In Turkey, the government had provided periodic "construction amnesties"—effectively legal exemptions for the payment of a fee, for structures built without the required safety certificates or those that deviated from original licensed designs, often by adding additional floors. Up to 75,000 buildings across the affected earthquake zone in southern Turkey have been given construction amnesties.

Turkey's decision to block access to Twitter for about 12 hours from Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday as people scrambled to find loved ones after devastating earthquakes compounded public frustration at the pace of relief efforts. Opposition leaders and social media users criticized the throttling of the platform, which has helped people share information on arriving aid and the location of those still trapped in rubble after the initial tremor on Monday. President Tayyip Erdogan's government has blocked social media in the past and focused in recent months on fighting what it calls "disinformation", which it said prompted the block on Wednesday.

Critics such as Soli Ozel, a lecturer at Kadir Has University in Istanbul, point out that national funds meant for natural disasters like this one were instead spent on highway construction projects managed by associates of Erdogan and his coalition government. Turkish engineers had previously warned that cities could become 'graveyards' with building amnesty.

Another criticism was the very late deployment of military resources. They were not mobilized for two days after the earthquake, and even then what many considered in very modest amount. Typically in the past local commanders were authorized to go into action unilaterally in the face of such natural disaster until the current government changed the regulations. There have been many reported instances where aid was forced to go through local governors, who are not elected but appointed by the government. Sometimes they were forced to go through specific organizations preferred by the ruling party. There have been reports of aid trucks being stopped and not let through unless ruling party placards and signs were put on them, even stickers of the president being placed on individual aid packages.

Sports

After the earthquake, Süper Lig was suspended for over a week to mourn the victims. Clubs from affected regions Süper Lig clubs Hatayspor,Gaziantep FK, TFF First League club Yeni Malatyaspor, Adanaspor, TFF Second League club Adıyaman FK and TFF Third League clubs Niğde Anadolu and Malatya Arguvan SK withdrew from the league.

On 10 February 2023, it was announced the 2023 Men's EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup was cancelled due to the impact of the earthquake. The tournament was intended to be held from 17 to 19 February in Alanya.

It was also said by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the country will be busy building houses for people who have lost their homes.

Syria

See also: Foreign aid to 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 for the most hit regions. Following orders from President al-Assad, all teams of the civil defense, firefighting, health, and public construction groups were mobilized to Aleppo.

The Syrian government appealed to UN member states, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organizations for international aid. Syria also requested for aid from the European Union's European Civil Protection Mechanism, according to commissioner Janez Lenarčič. The Syrian government, through its representative in the United Nations, said that it should be responsible for aid distribution in all areas of the country including those held by the rebels. The UK government said it would deliver aid through its long term partners, the White Helmets civilian defence force. The US State Department said it would use its humanitarian partners on the ground.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said damaged roads and logistical issues prevented the mobilization of international aid across the border from Turkey. Border crossings into Turkey remained closed on 7 February. Critically injured patients were unable to enter Turkey for medical attention. There were exceptions as to which persons could cross, including individuals holding touristic residence permits who could only cross by foot. The Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing was made accessible on 8 February, according to the UN.

India airlifted 6 tons of assistance to Syria, which included 3 truck loads of protective gear, emergency medicines, ECG machines and other medical items.

Some hotels including in Latakia and Damascus offered to accommodate to survivors free of charge and ensure basic necessities. Refugees and expatriates also opened their homes as shelters for people. Al-Sham Private University started an effort to receive people. Sports facilities, events venues, university dormitories and halls were also opened to take in people. The Syria Trust for Development announced the establishment of shelters across many governorates. Volunteer groups inspected buildings for damage and distributed food items, blankets, and first aid essentials.

Due to the high number of casualties, including trauma cases, many hospitals became overcrowded. Hospitals were already experiencing a shortage of medical supplies prior to the earthquake. Hospitals in many cities were forced to operate far beyond capacity. Many patients at hospitals slept on floors due to the lack of beds. The Ministry of Health dispatched medical convoys from the Health Directorates of Damascus, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Quneitra, Homs, and Tartus, to Aleppo and Latakia to rebel-held areas. Twenty-eight ambulances, 7 mobile clinics, and four trucks carrying medical, surgical and emergency aid were also dispatched.

Over 2,000 Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets) volunteers were sent to all the affected areas to conduct search and rescue efforts. With a lack of equipment and tools, they appealed to other humanitarian organizations for support. Officials on 7 February announced rescue and recovery efforts in Hama ended after 15 hours. Over 298,000 people were left without homes and 180 shelters were opened in government-held areas. About 30,000 people were housed in shelters in Aleppo. On 7 February 2023, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent urged Western countries to lift sanctions against Syria because the punitive measures hurt civilians and humanitarian efforts during the earthquake recovery effort. The sanctions are a series of economic measures taken by the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and the Arab League from the start of the civil war in 2011. They include an oil embargo and the freezing of financial assets of the state and government officials. There were requests to lift or suspend the sanctions to aid humanitarian efforts following the earthquake. On 10 February, the United States announced it would exempt sanctions against Syria for 180 days. The ease of sanctions was for "all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts", according to the United States Department of the Treasury. Some commentators have argued that the sanctions do not pose a problem for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria.

International humanitarian assistance began trickling into northwestern Syria on 9 February via Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing. The first convoy of six trucks carried tents and sanitary items. Turkey said it was working to open two additional border crossings. On 10 February, 14 trucks carrying aid crossed from Turkey into Syria, according to the United Nations. The United States Central Command announced it would cooperate with Syrian Democratic Forces in order to assist the affected population in Syria. On 11 February, World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Aleppo, accompanying a shipment of emergency medical supplies.

International humanitarian efforts

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

Countries

Collections of donations by Singaporeans for the earthquake victims bound for Turkey

Airlift by Indian Air Force consist of NDRF volunteers and equipments for rescue operations

Leaders of many countries offered condolences to Turkey and Syria. By 9 February, three days after the earthquake, 95 countries and 16 international organizations offered aid to Turkey, and 6,479 rescue personnel from 56 countries were deployed to Turkey. On the other hand, outreach to Syria was "less enthusiastic", owing to Western and Arab League sanctions against Syria.

• Albania dispatched 88 medical personnel and search and rescue specialists to Turkey, and 9 specialized vehicles.
• Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will send a relief package of 10 million Afghanis ($111,024) and 5 million Afghanis ($55,512) to Türkiye and Syria respectively on the basis of shared humanity and Islamic brotherhood.
• Algeria dispatched 89 specialized civil protection personnel to Turkey.
• Armenia dispatched 57 search and rescue specialists to Turkey and Syria, pledging to send further aid and food to Syria.
• Australia deployed a 72-member search-and-rescue team to Turkey.
• Azerbaijan became the first country to provide assistance to Turkey. Azerbaijan dispatched a search and rescue team of 420 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.
• Bangladesh observed one-day state mourning over the devastating earthquake on 9 February. Bangladesh sent a 46-strong medical and rescue team to Turkey along with the rescue equipment, medicine, tents and food. The rescue team includes 24 members from the Bangladesh Army, 12 personnel from the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence and 10 medical professionals along with one journalist. The rescue team is led by Bangladesh Army's Lt Col Md Ruhul Amin, PSC. They left for Turkey by a Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft. On 10 February, The team have pulled out a 17-year-old girl alive from the debris. The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka has called for support from the people of Bangladesh in the form of essential goods through TIKA’s (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) campaign assisted by Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines offered to fly the relief to Turkey free of charge, and the Bangladesh government would assist with the customs requirements to ensure swift delivery of humanitarian aid. Bangladesh has also sent 11 tonnes of humanitarian aid and medicines to Syria that include the required number of tents, blankets and dry food on a C-130J transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.
• Belgium sent a B-FAST team on 8 February to install a field hospital.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina sent several mountain and urban rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
• Canada will send an 'initial' $10M for earthquake help as Turkey declares emergency
• China offered monetary support to both countries and sent additional personnel to Turkey to help in the relief effort. Hong Kong officials later sent a 59-person rescue team to help search for survivors.
• Croatia's civil protection service sent a search and rescue team including 40 trained searchers and 10 dogs to Turkey. The Croatian Red Cross organised donations for Syria and Turkey.
• Cuba will send 27 specialized doctors to assist Syria.
• Northern Cyprus announced seven days of national mourning for the victims of the earthquake and also sent a rescue team to a collapsed hotel in Adıyaman, where a volleyball team from Famagusta was staying when the earthquake hit.
• Germany sent 50 rescuers of the Technical Support Corps (THW) with 16 tons of material, as well as teams of the federal police. In addition, I.S.A.R, a rescue organization, sent an additional 40-strong team.
• Greece initially dispatched a team of 21 firefighters, 2 rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle along with a fire brigade officer-engineer, 5 doctors and rescuers from the National Center for Emergency Care. and in the following days, additional rescue teams, including 15 firefighters and 3 lifesavers. Furthermore, 5 airplanes full of health and medical equipment and basic necessities such as 7,500 blankets, 1,500 beds and 500 tents which can accommodate families and be used as mobile clinics, were sent to Turkey.
• Hungary dispatched a total number of 156 search and rescue personnel, together with 28 rescue dogs.
• Iceland dispatched their search and rescue (SAR) team of 12 manned by the local SAR volunteer organisation, ICE-SAR, on the 8th of February.
• India 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 a general surgical specialist team. The first Indian Air Force plane carrying disaster relief material and a rescue team reached Adana. India will be sending two more C-17 aircraft with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to 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. On 9 February, India sent a total of six IAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carrying rescuers, dog squads, medicine, and equipment. This forms a part of Operation Dost. India has built a field hospital in İskenderun in Hatay Province.
• The Indonesian Government has dispatched humanitarian aid to Turkey for the earthquake victims from Base Ops Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport on 11 February 2023. Two Boeing 737 aircraft transported joint personnel from the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Defence, and a Hercules C-130 carried relief goods including Medium Urban SAR (MUSAR) logistics and an Emergency Medical Team (EMT). Governor of Central Sulawesi, Rusdy Mastura plead the local governments in the province to also send aid to Turkey, owing to the fact that Turkey was among the countries who were first to assist the province during the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami.
• Iran delivered 45 tons of medicine, food, tents, and blankets to Syria on 7 February. Bassem Masour, the head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, said more planeloads of humanitarian aid are arriving.
• Iraq sent two aircraft to deliver a first batch of aid which included 70 tons of foodstuffs, medical supplies, blankets and other aid supplies. A team of Iraqi Red Crescent volunteers, consisting of 150 paramedics, landed in Turkey to support the Turkish Red Crescent teams, the relief efforts, and the evacuation and rescue activities conducted by teams of humanitarian workers.
• Israel has deployed 430 search and rescue, disaster relief, 15 cargo planes, and humanitarian aid workers mainly to the areas of Adana and Gaziantep. It has provided one field hospital to help treat quake victims in Turkey. The IDF sent a 150-person delegation. United Hatzalah deployed a third group of doctors, nurses, rescue workers, and psychotrauma specialists to Turkey, along with 10 tonnes of equipment and humanitarian assistance, including water purification devices. The establishment of an Israeli field hospital in Gaziantep was approved by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
• Kyrgyzstan sent 67 special workers of MES and 2 searching dogs.
• Lebanon sent 20 members of the Lebanese Civil Defense and 20 Lebanese Army soldiers from the Engineering Regiment to Syria. Lebanon also sent a team of army engineering soldiers, Lebanese Red Cross medics and firefighters to Turkey.
• Malaysia sent 75 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to assist with urban search and rescue to Turkey within 24 hours after the earthquake. The second SMART team was deployed on 8 February 2023; the team consists of 72 personnel from SMART, the Civil Defence Force and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). An additional 106 military personnel, including 41 doctors was also deployed on 10 February 2023 to install a field hospital. A financial aid of US$2 million were sent to Turkey and Syria, and a donation campaign were also held.
• Moldova sent on 6 February a team specialized in search and rescue interventions of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of Moldova consisting of 55 members, 2 rescue dogs, and 12 fully autonomous emergency vehicles.
• The Netherlands has deployed 4 rescue teams including 65 people and 8 dogs. Collection campaigns for aid and money have been launched. There was a massive collection across the whole country. At some places there was even a stop of the collection because too much was received. In the first few day several million Euro was collected.
• North Macedonia sent a team of 40 rescuers and 22 special forces members, including around €100,000 in financial aid, 10,000 blankets and 200 sanitary stretchers. An additional 36 special forces members were sent.
• Pakistan: The NDMA sent winterized tents and blankets. Teams of doctors, paramedics, nursing staff, sniffer dogs and technicians trained to operate in disaster-hit areas were also dispatched with their equipment and medicines. Pakistan also sent two C-130 Hercules aircraft planes carrying relief and 36 search and rescue personnel along with 30 bedded mobile hospital, tentage, blankets, including 100 tonnes of other relief goods. They stated that the contingents would stay in Turkiye until the completion of the relief and rescue operation. The Minister for Railways said that a (PIA) airplane will take a 52-member rescue team to Istanbul. Prime Minister's Office said that federal government has established a Rs10 billion relief fund for the people in Turkiye. The federal cabinet ministers also donated their one month's worth of salaries to the relief fund.
• Philippines sent an 85-man team to Turkey and Syria. The Philippine government will also send engineers and health workers and provide other necessary assistance.
• Poland sent a special group of the Polish State Fire Service - Heavy Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) Team, consisting of 76 firefighters, 5 medics, 8 rescue dogs and 20 tons of dedicated equipment left for Turkey on 6 February. A second group, a 50-member miners rescue team, was sent to Besni, Adıyaman on 8 February. A third group consisting of 52 military medics will set up a field hospital in Turkey.
• Romania sent on 6 February three aircraft of the Romanian Air Force that had on board teams specialized in search and rescue interventions of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of Romania (IGSU) and SMURD medical teams, consisting of 60 members, 4 rescue dogs, and related specialized equipment. On 8 February, Romanian authorities sent a second RO-USAR team to Turkey to help with the search and rescue of survivors of the earthquakes. The search and rescue teams have increased to almost 120 people and are made up of emergency management specialists, healthcare workers and attendants of 7 utility dogs that take part in missions in disaster areas. Another team with 6 dogs specialized for rescue actions from natural disasters belonging to the National Club of Canine Education joined the rescuers on 10 February.
• Russia is sending rescue teams to Syria, where Russian military forces deployed in that country already have sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors. Russia said it had emergency rescue Ilyushin-76 planes on standby to fly to the two countries.
• Saudi Arabia the King and Crown Prince launched public aid campaign via the KSArelief website. Also by operating an air bridge providing health, shelter, food and logistical assistance and sending rescue teams and heavy equipment vehicles.
• South Korea sent 118 rescuers, including search-and-rescue teams and military personnel.
• Singapore dispatched its specialised Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) on 7 February 2023, with an initial team of 20 personnel as part of Operation Lionheart. On that same day, the Turkish Ambassador to Singapore Mehmet Burçin Gönenli also visited the SCDF headquarters to thank the Operation Lionheart contingent. In addition, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) also announced that they would also engage in immediate relief and recovery operations, pledged US$100,000 in humanitarian aid, as well as activating its Restoring Family Links (RFL) service to help Singapore residents, specifically the Turkish community in Singapore, to look for affected family members. On 8 February 2023, an additional 48 members of SCDF personnel also left for the city of Adana to provide humanitarian assistance. SCDF added that from Adana, the team will be deployed to the affected areas to commence search and rescue operations. This totals up to 68 SCDF personnel as of 9 February 2023. On that same day, a boy was rescued by an SCDF team from a collapsed building in Dulkadiroğlu. During this time, thousands of Singaporeans also heeded to the call for donations by the Turkish Embassy in Singapore. The amount of donations were so tremendous that the embassy had to stop accepting them on their premises as its office ran out of space. A second donations collection point were subsequently announced, which were put in place until 10 February 2023.
• Switzerland: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation deployed an 80-strong team from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, army personnel and eight rescue dogs. A total of 29 Swiss army personnel are engaged in Turkey. The Swiss NGO Caritas mobilized its nine staff in Syria to assist in the rescue efforts, and provide financial aid. Additionally, a Rega jet sent ten experts and six rescue dogs to Turkey.
• Taiwan announced it would donate US$2,000,000 to Turkey and send a rescue team to the country.
• Thailand: As of February 9, the Government of Thailand has donated a preliminary financial support of 5 million baht (around 150K USD) to the Turkish government and deployed a 42-strong team from the Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, to Turkey, along with equipment for rescue and mitigation and medical supplies.
• Tunisia sent 60 rescue personnel, including doctors, 41 to Turkey and 19 to Syria, and is planning to send 15 tons of material (such as blankets and food).

UK aid arrives in Turkey

• The United Kingdom deployed its self-contained/self-supporting International Search and Rescue Team, with 77 search and rescue specialists and four search dogs, arriving on 7 February. On 9 February a field hospital and specialist casualty evacuation C130 was sent to Turkey, following an A400M carrying humanitarian supplies. The UK has also committed at least £8 million of support, which will include hygiene and medical kits, tents, blankets, and heavy duty equipment.
• United States: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team of around 200 people to Turkey, including disaster recovery experts, 159 search-and rescue personnel, 12 dogs, and heavy equipment. Two other search-and rescue teams were also sent: VA-TF1, containing 79 people and 6 dogs, and CA-TF2, which had 78 members. The US pledged $85 million in aid to Turkey and Syria, and US helicopters helped transport rescue personnel throughout the disaster area in Turkey.
• Vietnam sent 100 rescuers from the Police Department of Fire Prevention and Rescue, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Defence along with equipment and medical supplies.

Organizations

Arab League

Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for international assistance to help those affected by "this humanitarian catastrophe.

European Union (EU)

The European Union's European Civil Protection Mechanism, in which Turkey participates despite not being a member of the EU, was activated at the request of Turkey. The EU dispatched thirty-one rescue teams and five medical teams from 23 member states to Turkey and Syria, committed €3 million and €3.5 million to Turkey and Syria respectively, and announced a donor conference to raise money. The Copernicus Programme was also activated to provide emergency mapping services and other help.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said that member countries were mobilizing support. The Strategic Airlift Capability was used to transport search and rescue equipment. NATO deployed "fully equipped semi-permanent shelter facilities" to house displaced persons in Turkey. Flags at NATO headquarters were also lowered to half-mast.

United Nations (UN)

Several United Nations agencies announced coordinated responses to the disaster, including UNDAC, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF and IOM. The World Health Organization's Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, said the organization's regional offices were assisting international efforts to transport medicine and relief equipment. The UN released $25 million from its emergency fund for humanitarian assistance in Turkey and Syria. A second $25 million grant was released for relief efforts in Syria.

• UN sent humanitarian aid to Syria through Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

World Bank

The World Bank said it would provide US$1.78 billion in aid for Turkey to support the relief and recovery process. "We are providing immediate assistance and preparing a rapid assessment of the urgent and massive needs on the ground," said World Bank President David Malpass.

Other

• 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 mobilization 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.
• Caritas Internationalis raised money.
• Islamic Relief has launched a £20 million global appeal to provide emergency aid including food, medical supplies, shelter and other items to meet immediate needs of those who have been affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey.
• The World Jewish Relief charity launched an emergency appeal to provide emergency aid to Turkey. The Jewish Federation raised money for Turkey. Over 50 Jewish communities donated to earthquake-relief efforts.
• Several Turkish humanitarian institutions such as AHBAP, the Turkish Philanthropy Funds (US-based), and Turkish Red Crescent (besides other IFRC members around the world) also launched emergency appeals to help the victims.
• The German charity International Search and Rescue (ISAR Germany) sent 40 rescuers to Turkey, supported by several German Federal Police officers. Deutsche Telekom made calls between Germany, Turkey and Syria free for a week, and donated €1 million.
• Iraqi Red Crescent said that first batch of humanitarian aid to Syria aboard by Iraqi Air Force planes, accompanied by a relief team from the IRCS and a team from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first batch of aid included 60 tons of food, relief and medical supplies, also shelters, first aid, and other items. A team of Iraqi Red Crescent volunteers, consisting of 150 paramedics, landed in Turkey for relief efforts.
• International Rescue Committee launched an integrated response to support affected communities in both countries. It include cash and essential items, such as household kits, dignity kits for women and girls, and hygiene supplies including towels and blankets as well as essential health services in affected areas.
• Médecins Sans Frontières, already present and operating in Syria due to the Syrian civil war, has scaled up its response in north Syria, providing emergency medical care to victims in the first hours after the main shocks and continuing thereafter. MSF also announced that they stand ready to provide assistance in Turkey, conditional on agreement from the Turkish government.
• The Premier League donated £1 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee. The Union of European Football Associations and UEFA Foundation for Children made a €200,000 donation.

See also

• Geography of Turkey
• Geography of Syria
• Greek–Turkish earthquake diplomacy
• List of deadly earthquakes since 1900
• List of earthquakes in 2023
• List of earthquakes 2021–2030
• List of earthquakes in Turkey
• Lists of 21st-century earthquakes

External links

• ReliefWeb's main page for this event.