Devastating earthquake hits Türkiye

Dozens of buildings collapsed, burying people under the rubble

A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Türkiye early Monday morning, followed by several powerful aftershocks that were felt all across the region. The jolts caused widespread destruction, knocking down multiple residential buildings, according to disturbing footage captured by survivors.

The quake happened around 4:16 am local time and was centered some 30 kilometers from Gaziantep, a major provincial capital with a population of over 2 million people.

There was no immediate estimate of casualties, but according to Turkish media reports, multiple buildings were damaged or completely destroyed in the province of Gaziantep and across the neighboring Diyarbakir, Osmaniye and Malatya, with their residents feared trapped under the rubble.

At least 34 buildings were destroyed and five people killed in the province of Osmaniye alone, according to its governor, with more casualties feared as rescuers were working to locate possible survivors. Ten more people were killed and 16 buildings destroyed in Sanliurfa, according to initial estimates by the provincial governor. 

• 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m.
• Occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles)
• 5 people killed, 34 buildings destroyed in southern Osmaniye province

Powerful earthquake jolts Türkiye’s southeastern provinces https://t.co/QyDg058lv4 pic.twitter.com/4xllIA4Mt0

— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) February 6, 2023

Turkish authorities declared the highest level of emergency, with all rescue services and first responders mobilized to aid the affected provinces, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.