Turkey-Syria Hit by Another Strong Earthquake... "Vibrations Felt as Far as Egypt"

Death Toll in Both Countries Reaches 47,000

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Another magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the already devastated T?rkiye and Syria, pushing the death toll beyond 47,000. After two weeks, an aftershock occurred near the area most affected by the first earthquake, causing some buildings to collapse and additional people to be buried, with the death toll expected to rise further. While rescue operations have shifted to supporting displaced persons, no news of survivor rescues has been reported for two consecutive days.

According to the Associated Press and others on the 20th (local time), T?rkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that the death toll in T?rkiye has reached 41,156 as of this day. This is an increase of 467 from the previous day's 40,689. The death toll reported by Syrian authorities and rebel groups in the neighboring country reached 5,939. Based on this, the combined total death toll for both countries rose to 47,095. Foreign media reported that 385,000 buildings were either collapsed or severely damaged by the new earthquake, and as the number of buried victims increases, the death toll is expected to surge.

The powerful aftershock that occurred on this day was centered around Defne in Hatay Province, T?rkiye, which suffered the greatest damage. The Associated Press reported that tremors were felt as far as Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt.

According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), at 8:04 p.m. local time, a magnitude 6.4 aftershock occurred 16 km southwest of Antakya in Hatay Province, at a depth of 10 km. Hatay authorities stated that many buildings collapsed in Antakya and surrounding areas due to this earthquake, burying some citizens, and rescue operations are underway. Fuat Oktay, Vice President of T?rkiye, said that at least eight people were injured and that the exact scale of the damage is being investigated.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Most rescue operations in T?rkiye have ended, but search and rescue efforts continue around about ten buildings in Hatay Province. Since three family members were rescued in Hatay two days ago on the 18th, no survivors have been found. Efforts to support displaced persons have also begun. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an announced that construction of 200,000 apartments will begin next month in 11 affected areas.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported that six people were injured in northwest Aleppo as residents jumped from buildings or were hit by debris. The Syrian rebel civilian rescue group "White Helmets" stated that some buildings collapsed but no one was buried. The earthquake caused power outages in southeastern T?rkiye and northwestern Syria, and telephone and internet services were also disrupted.

Although authorities in T?rkiye and Syria are strengthening relief efforts for displaced persons, harsh conditions persist. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that 356,000 displaced persons urgently need medical services, including 226,000 pregnant women in T?rkiye and 130,000 in Syria. Among them, 38,800 are expected to give birth next month, many of whom are exposed to cold and suffering from food and water shortages in temporary shelters.

The isolated situation in northwest Syria, which has suffered from civil war for over ten years, has not significantly improved. The World Food Programme (WFP) urged rebel authorities not to block relief supplies coming from government-controlled areas. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that 197 UN trucks have delivered relief supplies to rebel areas through two humanitarian corridors opened by Syria so far.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting T?rkiye, said on this day, "The United States will help T?rkiye recover from the earthquake damage as much as needed." The U.S. government has decided to provide a total of $185 million (approximately 240 billion won) in two installments to assist with earthquake response efforts in T?rkiye and Syria.