Earthquake in Turkey Kahramanmaraş: 7.4 / Destruction in Many Cities

Buildings were destroyed in the cities of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Hatay, Malatya, Adıyaman, Adana and Osmaniye.

There are reports that the buildings collapsed and there was loss of life and property due to the earthquake, which was felt strongly in the surrounding provinces. Interior Minister Soylu announced that the 4th level alarm, which includes international aid, has been issued. According to the statement made by AFAD, as of 06:30, 76 people lost their lives in 7 provinces and 440 people were injured.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 occurred in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş.

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According to the information on the website of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the earthquake occurred at 4.17 am in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers. The earthquake was also felt in the surrounding provinces, citizens came out of their homes. There are reports that buildings have been demolished in Gaziantep and many surrounding cities and that there are people left under collapse.

According to the information given by AFAD, many aftershocks occurred after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake.

Aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred in Gaziantep Nurdağ at 4.26, 6.5 in Gaziantep Islahiye at 4.36, and 6.6 in Gaziantep Nurdağ at 4.28 am.

According to the statement made by AFAD, as of 06:30, 76 people lost their lives in 7 provinces and 440 people were injured.

08.00 AFAD Earthquake Risk Reduction General Manager Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar used the following statements in his statements at the hourly information meeting:

“It is very important that the roads remain open in the region, our search and rescue units from all the surrounding provinces are deployed to the region. For this reason, we especially ask our citizens not to drive.

The GSM lines are open, and the lines of our citizens, who are closed in a way that is closed, are currently in use. It is important to communicate over the internet.

An important issue is to help our search and rescue teams, we ask our citizens to assist their duties here, to stay away from the damaged buildings and to follow the instructions of the official officials.

We know that we have many damaged buildings, especially in Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Kilis, Hatay, Malatya and Şanlıurfa.

So far, 50 aftershocks have occurred, 3 of which are above the magnitude of 6, and 8 aftershocks of magnitude 5 and above.

Earhtquake in Turkey: The moment of demolition of a building in Diyarbakir pic.twitter.com/7BQPoHoRBf

— NationalTurk (@nationalturkcom) February 6, 2023

The earthquake was felt in Egypt as well.”

07.58: Gaziantep Governor Davut Gül: “We received 657 reports from the first moment after the earthquake, all of them were evaluated, there are 531 dents throughout the city.”

07:57: Statement from the USA: In the statement made by the White House, it was said that after the great earthquake in Turkey and Syria, “any necessary” assistance is ready to be provided. In the statement, it was written that President Joe Biden instructed the United States Agency for International Development for options.

07:48: Speaking to NTV, Adıyaman Governor Mahmut Çuhadar said: “We do not have any problems in transportation, we cut the natural gas as a precaution. There is no problem with electricity. The death toll is 28 people. We found that at least 100 buildings were destroyed. After the earthquake, 42 aftershocks have occurred as of now, the largest of which is 6.6 magnitude.

07:45: Loss of life statement from AFAD: AFAD announced that as of 06.30, 76 people lost their lives and 440 people were injured in the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the center of which was the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş.

07.33: Kahramanmaraş Governor Ömer Faruk Coşkun: “It is not possible to give the number of dead and injured with the destroyed building at the moment. The damage is serious.”

07.28: Governors’ places of duty were changed: New assignments were made to the governorships of some provinces for coordination, as the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Kahramanmaraş caused destruction in 10 provinces.

The governor of Kayseri was assigned to Kahramanmaraş, the governor of Mersin to Hatay, the governor of Mardin to Gaziantep, the governor of Tunceli to Adıyaman, the governor of Bingöl to Osmaniye and the governor of Sivas to Malatya.

07.25: AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik: “All our units are in mobilization for the rescue of our citizens under the rubble. It is very important for all our citizens to act according to the statements of the authorized units.”

07.15: In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, it was stated that “All GSM operators will increase the capacity and open the closed phone lines and provide internet service so that the people of the region do not suffer due to the earthquake that occurred in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş.”

07.12: AFAD Earthquake and Risk Reduction Manager: Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar said, “It was a very shallow earthquake and it was felt in a wide geography. The magnitude of the largest aftershock to date is 6.6.’

07.11: İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu made a statement regarding the earthquake and said, “In coordination with AFAD, 2 search and rescue vehicles and 200 Fire Brigade personnel, 1 food truck, Hamidiye Water and Halk Bread trucks moved to the earthquake zone. A total of 260 of our personnel are moving to the region by plane. In addition, necessary materials such as stoves and blankets are on the way,” he said.

07.10: Diyarbakir Governor Ali İhsan Su: “6 buildings were destroyed in the earthquake, 6 of our citizens lost their lives, 79 of our citizens were injured.”

07.05: Malatya Governor Hulusi Şahin: 23 people lost their lives in the earthquake, 420 people were injured, 140 buildings were destroyed so far.

06:58: After the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, education was suspended for one day in Adana and Mersin. In the statement made by the Adana and Mersin Governorships, it was stated that all educational institutions were closed on Monday, 6 February due to the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş.

06.51: Statement from the Ministry of National Defense: “Our units in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Adana, Hatay, Kilis, Osmaniye were affected by the earthquakes that occurred this morning. Damage assessment studies are continuing. The Disaster Emergency Crisis Center was established in the Ministry of National Defense for the coordination of earthquake activities and started its activities. Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar is going to the region with the Chief of General Staff and the Commander of Land Forces. Get well soon to all our citizens.”

06.35: Malatya Governor Hulusi Şahin said, “According to the first determinations, 130 buildings were demolished. There are more than 100 injured, the bodies of 3 people were removed from the rubble. Search and rescue efforts continue.” said.

06.19: Şanlıurfa Governor Salih Ayhan said in a statement after the earthquake, “Right now, 15 of our citizens have passed away and 30 of our citizens are injured.”

06.15: Turkish Red Crescent President Kınık said, “We are delivering blood to the earthquake area. We have national blood stocks, we invite citizens to donate blood for additional needs.” made the statement.

06.10: Adana Mayor Zeydan Karalar said, “According to the first determinations, 3 apartments, one of which is 17 and the other 14 floors, were completely demolished. Crews can’t come here. Please let our citizens clear the roads,” he said.

06.00: Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu made a new statement, “Our governors are on duty. Currently, search and rescue teams are being dispatched from many points in Turkey. Our first priority is to save our people from the rubble. Regarding mobile phones, we have only one request from our citizens in Turkey as far as possible, not to use their mobile phones outside of earthquake zones and not to occupy the lines. Currently, our cargo planes are ready for shipment. Unfortunately, we have citizens who lost their lives. It is important that our citizens do not move their vehicles in their places. Our priority is their rescue from the rubble and their transfer to the hospital. There were 22 aftershocks, the biggest of which was 6.6. Do not enter damaged buildings. We are going with all the teams.’

05:55: In the statement made by AFAD, “After the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, 5 aftershocks occurred, the largest of which was 6.6 magnitude. The earthquake was felt intensely in the surrounding provinces, especially in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Malatya and Adana. The level of the earthquake is 4️. determined as a level; Within the scope of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP), all disaster groups gathered in our provinces and at the Presidency AFAD Center.” expressions were used.

05:48: Osmaniye Governor Erdinç Yılmaz said that 34 buildings were destroyed in the city, 5 people lost their lives, and rescue efforts are continuing.

05.40: Vice President Fuat Oktay, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Kasapoğlu coordinate the works at the AFAD Coordination Center after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.

05.35: President Erdogan used the following statements in his statement; “I convey my best wishes to all our citizens who were affected by the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş and was felt in many parts of our country. All our relevant units are on alert under the coordination of AFAD. Our search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the areas affected by the earthquake. Our Ministry of Interior and Health, AFAD, Governorships and all other institutions have started their work quickly.”

05.25: Red Crescent President Kerem Kınık said, “There is serious damage in our 7-8 provinces. Its aftershocks will also be strong and violent. Do not enter buildings to buy items. What we need to do is to leave the damaged buildings. There is great destruction. Mobile trucks, soup kitchens, our teams are in transit to the region.” made a statement.

05.22: Elazig Governor Ömer Toraman said, “We felt the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, the epicenter of which was Kahramanmaraş Pazarcık, in Elazığ as well. As of now, we have not received any negative reports. Our scans continue.” he said.