On February 6, 2023, a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye, followed hours later by a second quake of equal strength, devastating cities across southern Türkiye and northern Syria. CGTN Stringer Neyran Elden reported from the epicenter in Hatay on February 8, describing a landscape of collapsed buildings and urgent rescue operations amid freezing temperatures.
\"Every minute counts here,\" Elden told myglobalnews.net, noting that survivors remained trapped under rubble days after the initial disaster. Over 11,000 emergency personnel have mobilized, with international aid teams delivering tents, food, and medical supplies to the region. Local volunteers and global NGOs are working around the clock to distribute essentials while displaced families shelter in makeshift camps.
Data from Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reveals over 3,000 buildings destroyed in Hatay alone. The World Health Organization has warned of heightened risks to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, as temperatures drop below freezing at night.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
