Antakya’s storied past lies buried under fractured stone and dust after twin earthquakes – both measuring 7.8 in magnitude – shattered southern Türkiye on February 6. CGTN footage reveals the apocalyptic aftermath in Hatay province, where Roman-era Antioch’s architectural legacy has been reduced to skeletal remains.
The Ulu Mosque’s collapsed minaret, centuries-old churches reduced to rubble, and the Old Parliament Building’s fractured facade underscore a cultural catastrophe. Rescue teams from 35+ countries comb debris with thermal cameras and sniffer dogs, racing against hypothermia risks in freezing temperatures to locate survivors.
‘This is our collective memory disintegrating,’ said local historian Emre Kaya, surveying the damage. UNESCO has flagged the region’s imperiled multi-faith landmarks as global heritage at risk. Meanwhile, digital nomads share 360-degree ruins footage via TikTok, sparking crowdfunding campaigns to document artifacts before aftershocks strike.
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Ancient mosques and churches reduced to rubble in old town Antakya
cgtn.com
