Turkey, Syria: State of emergency declared across parts of southern Turkey Feb. 7 as response operations continue following series of earthquakes Feb. 6 /update 7

Event

Authorities in Turkey have declared a three-month state of emergency in ten southern provinces Feb. 7 as widespread disruptions and response operations continue across parts of southern and east-central Turkey and northwestern Syria following a series of major earthquakes in southern Turkey Feb. 6. The provinces covered under the decree include Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osimaniye, and Sanliurfa.

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 more than 100 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, as well as hampering ongoing recovery efforts.

As of Feb. 7, casualty reports indicate more than 3,500 deaths in Turkey and more than 1,600 deaths in Syria; more than 23,000 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.

Extensive structural damage has been reported across Adana, Aiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmnaiye, and Sanliurfa provinces in Turkey. Thousands of buildings have been destroyed across the affected area and some minor damage has been reported in surrounding provinces. In Syria, severe damage has been reported across parts of Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Latakia, and Tartus provinces, with at least 224 buildings in northwestern Syria destroyed and at least 325 other buildings damaged. The White Helmets civil defense agency has declared a disaster zone in northwestern Syria due to the extensive damage caused.

Authorities in Turkey have closed Hatay Airport (HTY) and Kahramanmaras Airport (KCM) due to damage, while Gaziantep International Airport (GZT) and Sanliurfa GAP Airport (GNY) are only open to flights carrying aid. Fevzipasa-Narli, Narli-Gaziantep, and Narli-Matalya railway lines are closed and Matalya-Cetinkaya and Matalya-Yolcati lines are open for emergencies only. Many highways and minor roads across the affected areas are closed due to damage, landslides, and to allow priority access for aid and response vehicles. Power and internet outages are reportedly 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. Operations have also been disrupted at the port of Iskenderun in Hatay Province after the earthquake caused structural damage and triggered a fire which is ongoing as of Feb. 7.

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.