Turkey: Magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurs in Hatay Province around 19:04 Feb. 20

Event

A magnitude-6.4 earthquake occurred in Turkey's Hatay Province around 19:04 Feb. 20. The epicenter was about 3 km (2 miles) west-southwest of Uzunbag. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and very strong-to-violent shaking was probably felt throughout Hatay Province. Moderate-to-strong shaking was reported in other parts of southern Turkey, as well as northwestern and western Syria; weak-to light shaking was reported as far away as Cyprus and Lebanon. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, major damage is likely close to the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Moderate-to-strong 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 likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Vacate 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.