Turkey, Syria: Response operations continue following series of earthquakes in southern Turkey as of Feb. 8. Protests reported in Adiyaman. /update 8

Event

Response operations continue amid widespread disruptions across parts of southern and east-central Turkey and northwestern Syria as of Feb. 8 following the series of major earthquakes in the region Feb. 6. Aftershocks are still ongoing in the region and cold temperatures are also hampering ongoing response efforts.

A magnitude-7.8 earthquake occurred around 37 km (23 miles) west-northwest of Gaziantep at around 04:17 Feb. 6 and has been followed by hundreds of moderate-to-strong aftershocks, including a magnitude-6.7 tremor 21 km (13 miles) at around 04:28. Following the first major quake, a magnitude-7.5 earthquake occurred near Ekinozu in Kahramanmaras Province at around 13:24 Feb. 6 and has also been followed by a number of significant aftershocks, including a magnitude-6.0 earthquake at around 15:02 Feb. 6. The ongoing seismic activity is likely causing further damage to buildings weakened by preceding tremors.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the provincial governor's building in Adiyaman Feb. 8 to protest against an alleged inadequate response by authorities to the severe earthquakes that struck southern Turkey Feb. 6. Further protests in response to the response may occur across the affected regions over the coming days.

As of Feb. 8, casualty reports indicate more than 8,700 deaths in Turkey and more than 2,600 deaths in Syria; more than 50,000 others have been injured, and response operations are ongoing to find hundreds of others still trapped in the rubble. The death toll will almost certainly increase in the coming hours and days. Hundreds of thousands of residents across the affected area have been displaced

Authorities in Turkey declared a three-month state of emergency in ten southern provinces Feb. 7. Extensive structural damage has been reported across Adana, Aiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmnaiye, and Sanliurfa provinces, with more than 6,000 collapsed buildings across the affected areas. Authorities have restricted traffic entering some disaster areas, only allowing vehicles carrying aid to enter. Many roads and railway lines in the region are also closed due to damage and landslides. Hatay Airport (HTY) remains closed as of Feb. 8 whilst authorities carry out repair work to the runway, and flights to Kahramanmaras Airport (KCM), Gaziantep International Airport (GZT), and Sanliurfa GAP Airport (GNY) are only open to flights carrying aid. Power and internet outages are ongoing in parts of southern Turkey, and damages have been reported along natural gas distribution lines. Oil flows through the port of Ceyhan were temporarily suspended Feb. 6-7. Operations have also been disrupted at the port of Iskenderun in Hatay Province after the earthquake caused structural damage and triggered a fire that has been brought under control as of Feb. 7.

In Syria, severe damage has been reported across parts of Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Latakia, and Tartus provinces. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed or damaged across parts of northwestern Syria. The White Helmets civil defense agency has declared a disaster zone in northwestern Syria due to the extensive damage caused. The only UN-approved border crossing with Turkey, at Bab al-Hawa in Idlib Province, is not operating fully due to damage to surrounding roads, and this is likely to severely hinder the ability of aid convoys to reach some affected areas.

Further strong-to-moderate aftershocks are likely over the coming days. Ongoing utility outages are likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Consider avoiding nonessential travel to the impacted area. If operating in the area, 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.