On February 6, 2023 powerful earthquakes violently struck the country of Turkey, causing the mass destruction of buildings and leaving many people dead. The earthquakes were most prominent in the area of South-East Turkey, near the border of Syria. Consisting of 2 continuous earthquakes with intense aftershocks, this disastrous event surpasses the death tolls of historic earthquakes in Turkish history. 

 

According to the BBC News article, “Turkey earthquake: Death toll could increase eight-fold, WHO says”, the country’s “worst earthquake disaster was in 1939 when 33,000 people died.” Now, the most devastating earthquakes for the Turkish people are the ones of this year, when more than 50,000 people make up the current death toll.

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The first earthquake hit the city of Antakya at 04:17 (local time) with a magnitude of 7.8, BBC News reports. Only 12 hours later, a second earthquake impacted the city of Kahramanmaras with a magnitude of 7.5. The second area affected was only about 70 km away from where the first earthquake struck. According to The Guardian article, “Death toll from latest earthquakes in Turkey reaches eight,” the “seismic activity was felt in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon,” resulting in the closing of many schools and businesses. 

 

The intensity of the earthquakes caused the obliteration of many buildings, leaving many without a home. According to CNBC News, “[m]ore than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged.” Most of the buildings were 12 stories high, therefore, there was large amounts of rubble and severe damage on the roads. In addition, BBC News claims that Turkey’s infrastructure, more specifically its gas pipelines, has been severely damaged, causing major fires. 

 

Not only did the destruction of buildings negatively impact the environment, but it also strongly affected the people. After the devastating earthquakes, most people from both Turkey and Syria were forced to live in tents in the midst of complete ruins. A CNBC article states that “Nearly two million people left homeless by the disaster are being housed in tents, container homes and other facilities in the region and in other parts of the country.” 

 

People mourned over the wreck that their hometowns had been turned to; as was the case with Masis, who is a 67-year-old retired jeweler. He states in an interview with a CNBC reporter: “Vakifli is all we have, the only Armenian village in Turkey. It is our home. Seeing it like this is breaking my heart.” 

 

The earthquakes have caused fear and despair in the lives of the Turkish people, and it also has caused sadness in the community. Many grieve over the loss of their loved ones, while others persistently search under the rubble in hope of finding any survivors. 

 

Humanitarians from different countries have volunteered to assist in cleaning up the roads, searching for survivors, and taking care of wounded people. In the BBC news article, “Turkey earthquake: How survivors cope with trauma,” a very unfortunate story is told about a woman named Dilek Eger who was trapped in the ruins of her home for 8 hours. Eger recounts how she rushed to her parents’ bedroom as soon as she felt the tremors and when the building fell apart. She claims that she could no longer hear the voices of her mother, father, or brother. Dilek finally showed signs of emotion 2 days after she was rescued. As she shares her experience with the reporter, she remembers how her mother covered her from the impact of the falling pieces of the building by placing her body on top. “My mother gave her last breath in my arms,” said Dilek as she cried over a photograph of her mother. “My brother was stuck in the other room, and my dad was suffering in pain. This is when the whole world collapses. You are witnessing the death of everyone you love. I don't feel anger or revenge. I just feel so empty." 

 

Many victims of the earthquake have probably gone through the same emotions that Dilek went through. The people of Turkey and Syria have experienced so much pain and thousands of families may have lost everything they had. Whether it is through a donation or through a social media post, a message of support and encouragement can come a long way for the people in Turkey. Motivate others to do the same.

 

Work Cited

 

Wertheimer, By Tiffany. “Turkey Earthquake: Death Toll Could Increase Eight-fold, WHO Says.” BBC News, 6 Feb. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64533851.

Girit, By Selin. “Turkey Earthquake: How Survivors Cope With Trauma.” BBC News, 26 Feb. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-64720622.

Reuters. “Turkey Widens Probe Into Building Collapses as Quake Toll Exceeds 50,000.” CNBC, 26 Feb. 2023, www.cnbc.com/2023/02/26/turkey-widens-probe-into-building-collapses-as-quake-toll-exceeds-50000.html.

Chulov, Martin. “Death Toll From Latest Earthquakes in Turkey Reaches Eight.” The Guardian, 21 Feb. 2023, www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/21/death-toll-from-latest-earthquakes-in-turkey.