Major earthquake hits Turkey: several buildings damaged after 7.8-magnitude temblor

A major earthquake hit Turkey on 6 February 2023, damaging several buildings in the southeastern region of the country.

The quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale, had its epicentre around 33 km from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital, according to the US Geological Survey. The 7.8 quake was followed by a 6.7-magnitude temblor around 10 minutes later.

Many buildings caved-in in areas like Malatya and Diyarbakir. The mayor of Sanliurfa said that at least 5 people had died

The earthquake was also felt in Lebanon and Syria. Syria's state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama. In Syria's rebel-held northwest that borders Turkey several buildings collapsed, according to the opposition's Syrian civil Defence.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

In Beirut and Damascus, buildings shook and many people went down to the streets in fear.

(With agency inputs)