The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria continues to rise. Follow DW for the most up-to-date information.

The death toll has risen rapidly in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of Monday morning.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated at a press conference that 912 people had been confirmed dead and over 5,300 had been injured, according to updated figures. Erdogan stated that the ongoing search and rescue operation was the priority.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, 326 people were killed, and over 1,000 were injured, citing the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, the White Helmets rescue organization reported that at least 221 people were killed and 419 were injured in rebel-held areas.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Gaziantep, a critical industrial hub near the Syrian border. Tremors were also felt in Lebanon, Cyprus, and Egypt.

Meanwhile, the USGS reported a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake in southeast Turkey at 13:24 local time (10:24 UTC).

On Monday, February 6, here are the most recent updates on the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Rescue efforts are currently underway.

Rescuers have been sent to Turkey and Syria to help pull survivors from the rubble. Residents have also been assisting in the search for survivors among the rubble and debris.

Heavy snowfall hampered rescue efforts in some areas, as roads were covered in ice and snow.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to all our citizens affected by the earthquake,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter.

“We hope to get through this disaster as quickly as possible and with as little damage as possible.”

While Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) coordinated search and rescue operations, international organizations also deployed resources to assist.

The EU is dispatching search and rescue teams.

Janez Lenarcic, the EU’s Crisis Commissioner, confirmed that rescue teams were heading to Turkey to assist local agencies.

“Ten Urban Search and Rescue teams from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania have been quickly mobilized to support the first responders on the ground,” EU commissioners Josep Borrell and Lenarcic said in a statement.

The Turkish military has established an air corridor to allow search and rescue teams to reach disaster areas as soon as possible.

“We mobilized our planes to send medical teams, search and rescue teams, and their vehicles to the earthquake zone,” Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a statement.

According to the World Health Organization, one of the primary concerns was trauma care for those affected by the devastating earthquake.

“National authorities will be focusing on search and rescue at the moment,” a WHO spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters. “We can expect an increase in the demand for trauma care to treat the injured and support the entire health system in affected areas.”

Buildings were destroyed in Turkey and Syria.
Early reports indicate that a large number of buildings have been destroyed in provinces in southern Turkey.

In an update on the situation, Turkey’s president stated that over 2,800 buildings had collapsed.

Syria’s state media also reported that some buildings in Aleppo and Hama, the country’s capital, had collapsed. Damascus experienced tremors as well.

Raed Ahmed, the head of Syria’s National Earthquake Center, told local media that this was “historically, the biggest earthquake recorded in the center’s history.”

The White Helmets rescue organization reported that buildings had also collapsed in rebel-held areas of northwestern Syria, calling the situation “disastrous.”

The area is one of the most seismically active in the world.

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the western city of Izmit in 1999, killing thousands and displacing many more.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the eastern city of Van killed over 500 people in 2011.

Turkey makes a formal request for assistance.
The Turkish government has declared a “level 4 alarm,” requesting international assistance.

Emergency medical teams, as well as equipment and search and rescue units, have been requested by NATO.

There are also “extreme weather-proof fully equipped field hospitals” on the list.

The disaster response coordination center is in charge of coordinating NATO’s response to the earthquakes.

The EU is in “complete solidarity” with Turkey, according to Von der Leyen.

“We stand in complete solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of this morning’s deadly earthquake,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that his country is also prepared to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria, and that his “thoughts are with the bereaved families.”

Greece is one of the countries that has offered assistance to Ankara. “Greece will assist immediately,” said Greece’s Prime Minister.
Despite tensions between Greece and Turkey, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

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