Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023: On February 6, 2023, a severe earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck southern and central Turkey as well as northern and western Syria, causing widespread damage and leaving tens of thousands dead. It was followed by a second quake of magnitude 7.7 in Kahramanmaraş Province.
This was the strongest earthquake to occur in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, and one of the strongest ever recorded in the Levant. The seismic activity was due to shallow strike-slip faulting.
Contents
Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023: Affected Area
The earthquake affected an area of approximately 350,000 square kilometers, roughly equivalent to the size of Germany, and had a significant impact on the lives of about 14 million people in Turkey, leaving an estimated 1.5 million people homeless.
As of March 5, 2023, the death toll had surpassed 52,800, with more than 46,100 in Turkey and over 6,700 in Syria, making it the deadliest earthquake in Turkey since the 526 Antioch earthquake and the deadliest in Syria since the 1822 Aleppo earthquake.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023: Damages
The earthquakes resulted in damages of approximately US$84.1 billion in Turkey and US$5.1 billion in Syria, making them the fourth-costliest earthquakes ever recorded.
The national disaster agency AFAD’s rescue and relief efforts have been hampered by damaged roads, winter storms, and disrupted communications.
Despite a 60,000-strong search-and-rescue force, 5,000 health workers, and 30,000 volunteers deployed by AFAD, Turkey has called for international help, and over 141,000 people from 94 countries have joined the rescue effort. This earthquake is the deadliest natural disaster in Turkey’s modern history.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023: News
Turkey’s earthquake caused $34 billion in damage. It could cost Erdogan the election
The earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6 caused immense devastation, killing over 45,000 people, leaving millions homeless and causing damage estimated at $34 billion, equivalent to approximately 4% of the country’s GDP, according to the World Bank. However, the indirect costs of the disaster could be much higher and recovery is expected to be slow and difficult.
The Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation estimate the total cost of the earthquake to be $84.1 billion, with the largest share going towards housing at $70.8 billion.
The earthquake comes at a time when Turkey’s economy was already slowing down due to inflation and a currency crisis, which saw the lira lose 30% of its value against the dollar last year.
The earthquake is expected to exacerbate these existing structural weaknesses in the economy, which could have implications for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections expected in May.
Turkey earthquake: Survivors living in fear on streets
The aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has left many people without homes and uncertain about their future. Over 1.5 million people are homeless, and finding proper shelter has become a serious problem.
While some have fled the affected areas, many, like Songul and her family, are determined to stay despite the damage to their homes. They now live in cramped tents outside their damaged home, cooking on a camping stove and lacking proper toilet facilities.
The lack of privacy and space is taking its toll. Songul’s family has lost many relatives in the quake, and they are still waiting to hear about the fate of her missing sister. The situation is dire, and recovery will take a long time.
Ronaldo sends aid to victims of Turkey, Syria earthquake
Cristiano Ronaldo has contributed to the relief efforts for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which claimed the lives of over 50,000 people, including former football player Christian Atsu and goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan. Ronaldo sent a plane filled with aid to the areas most impacted by the quake, including medical supplies, tents, food, and bedding.
This isn’t the first time the Portuguese star has shown support for Turkey and Syria. Merih Demiral, a Turkish defender, contacted Ronaldo to auction off a signed shirt in his collection to aid the cause.
Other footballers, including Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, and Lionel Messi, have also contributed by donating signed shirts for auction.
