Turkey, Syria: A magnitude-7.8 earthquake occurs in southern Turkey at around 03:17 Feb. 6; damages reported /update 1

Event

A magnitude-7.8 earthquake occurred in southern Turkey at around 03:17 Feb. 6. The epicenter was about 37 km (23 miles) west-northwest of Gaziantep, Turkey. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 24 km (14 miles), and strong shaking was reportedly felt through southern and central Turkey and northern Syria. At least two aftershocks have occurred. A magnitude-6.7 earthquake occurred around 21 km (13 miles) south-southwest of Kahramanmaras at a depth of 9 km (5 miles). The temblor was followed by a magnitude-5.6 earthquake which occurred around 45 km (28 miles) east of Osmaniye at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). Further aftershocks are likely.

Initial reports indicate widespread damages in southern and central Turkey, particularly in Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras as well as northern parts of Syria. Unconfirmed reports indicate several casualties in the affected areas. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Strong-to-moderate aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.