06 Feb 2023 | 08:27 AM UTC
Turkey, Syria: Authorities close airports and airspace in southwest Turkey Feb. 6 following earlier magnitude-7.8 earthquake /update 3
Authorities close airports, airspace in southwest Turkey Feb. 6 following magnitude-7.8 earthquake. Significant damage, casualties reported.
Event
Widespread damage and disruptions are being reported in southern Turkey and northern Syria following a magnitude-7.8 earthquake that occurred in southwestern Turkey around 04:17 Feb. 6. Authorities in Turkey have closed Hatay Airport (HTY) due to damage, while all civilian flights at Gaziantep International Airport (GZT) have been suspended. Operations at Ceyhan Port in Adana Province have also been suspended. Updated casualty reports indicate at least 284 deaths in Turkey and over 230 deaths in Syria; almost 3,000 injuries have also been reported. The death toll will almost certainly increase in the coming hours.
Extensive structural damage has been reported, with hundreds of buildings collapsing in Turkish cities, including Adana, Antep, Kilis, Hatay, Osmaniye, Andiyaman, Diyarbakir, and Sanliurfa. Many people are reportedly trapped under building rubble. In Syria, collapsed buildings are being reported in the cities of Aleppo and Hama. Disruptions are also likely across parts of northern Lebanon, where shaking was also felt in Beirut.
Several strong aftershocks have occurred, including two immediately after the quake. A magnitude-6.7 earthquake occurred around 21 km (13 miles) south-southwest of Kahramanmaras at a depth of 9 km (5 miles) at around 04:28, 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) at around 04:36. Further aftershocks are occurring.
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. Utility outages are likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Advice
Vacate multistoried buildings or unreinforced structures in areas where strong shaking occurred; aftershocks could cause additional damage. Cellular networks may be overwhelmed; use text messaging if services are available. Due to the threat of landslides, seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected area.
