3 Dead, Hundreds Hurt As Fresh Earthquake Hits Turkiye, UN Pledges More Support: Top Points

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake shook the Turkey-Syria border region on Monday, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

A fresh 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits devasted Turkiye

Source : Getty Images

Turkiye-Syria Earthquake: There seems to be no end to the pain and destruction in Turkiye and Syria as three people died, and hundreds were left injured after a 6.3 magnitude fresh earthquake hit the region on Monday, two weeks after a massive earthquake wreaked havoc in the region. The aftershock struck Turkiye’s southern Hatay province, near the Syrian border, reported CNN citing Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). 

According to CNN, Turkish officials say at least three people were killed and 294 people were injured following Monday’s aftershocks. 

Here Are The Fresh Developments

- The epicentre of the earthquake was in the province’s Defne district, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said, adding that there have been 26 aftershocks since. 

- In Syria, there have been more than 130 injuries, the White Helmets volunteer rescue group said Monday, as reported by CNN. The aftershock also led to the collapse of a number of buildings that were already hit by the previous earthquake. “Our teams are working to take the injured to hospitals, inspect the affected villages and towns, and remove rubble to open the roads for the ambulances,” the White Helmets said, CNN quoted. 

- Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay earlier Monday asked the public “not to enter the damaged buildings, especially to take their belongings.” Officials have been urging residents to stay away from buildings and structures. 

- Turkish Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that 18 of the injured are in serious condition and were transported to Adana and Dörtyol. He added that field hospitals are continuing to provide services to other patients. “I wish for our injured, patients, local people and all the people of our country to get well soon. May Allah ease our pain with health and well-being, and protect us from new pains and worries,” Koca said in his tweet. 

Hatay’da bu gece yaşadığımız iki depremde 294 yaralımız var. 18’inin durumu maalesef ağır, ilk tıbbi müdahalenin ardından Adana ve Dörtyol’a hava ve kara yoluyla nakilleri yapıldı. Tüm ilçelerimizdeki Sahra Hastaneleri hastalarımız için gerekli hizmeti vermeye aynen devam ediyor

— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) February 20, 2023

- On Sunday, Turkiye’s disaster management authority said it had ended most search and rescue operations nearly two weeks after the earthquake struck as experts say the chances of survival for people trapped in the rubble this far into the disaster are unlikely, mentioned the CNN report. 

- Some rescue efforts continue in the provinces of Kahramanmaraş and Hatay.  

- A couple and their 12-year-old child were rescued in Hatay, 296 hours after the earthquake on Saturday, state news agency Anadolu reported, quoted CNN. 

- Efforts to retrieve survivors have been hit by a cold winter spell across quake-stricken regions. 

- Authorities are also grappling with the logistical challenges of transporting aid into northwestern Syria amid a severe humanitarian crisis compounded by years of political strife. 

- According to the USGS, CNN reported, “Aftershocks become less frequent with time, although they can continue for days, weeks, months, or even years for a very large mainshock.” 

- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged more aid to Turkiye and said that the organisation is ready to provide additional support to Turkey after the nation was hit by two fresh earthquakes on Monday. "My thoughts continue to be with the people of Turkiye and Syria, as they face the impact of new earthquakes striking the region this evening. @UN teams on the ground are assessing the situation, and we stand ready to provide additional support as needed," Guterres said in a tweet.

My thoughts continue to be with the people of Türkiye and Syria, as they face the impact of new earthquakes striking the region this evening.@UN teams on the ground are assessing the situation, and we stand ready to provide additional support as needed.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 20, 2023

- Monday’s earthquake follows a deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6 that left over 46,000 people dead in Turkiye and Syria.