Devastating Turkey and Syria Earthquake

A massive hurricane hit Turkey and Syria leaving thousands dead and many injured.

Dru Hanson, Reporter|February 24, 2023

One of the biggest earthquakes has hit both Turkey and Syria, leaving many devastated.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and many more injured by a massive earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey, near the Syrian border in the early hours of the morning. The earthquake was a 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale. The earthquake, which hit near the town of Gaziantep, 60 miles from the Syrian border, was followed by many aftershocks, including one quake that was almost as strong and powerful as the first quake. The quake could be felt as far away as Cairo and awoke residents of Lebanon shaking buildings for about 40 seconds. People in Beirut ran out of their homes and stayed in the street, and some drove their cars away from buildings, fearing they may be crushed if the structures fell.

[[File:Turkey-Syria Earthquake Montage.jpg|Turkey-Syria_Earthquake_Montage]] — The earthquake caused mass destruction in some areas of both Turkey and Syria, causing different authorities to step in a help clean up the mess.

The quake flattened countless homes and buildings. Residents of both countries were awakened by the monster quake a few hours before the daylight, and rushed outdoors into the cold, rain and snow. Authorities in Turkey pleaded with residents not to drive on roads, as people attempting to leave the devastated areas caused severe traffic jams, making rescue efforts more difficult. Mosques around the region opened as shelters for those people unable to return to damaged homes as temperatures hovered around the freezing level.

This region had not seen a major earthquake in more than 200 years. There were few warning signs, if any. The level of preparedness for an event of such epic proportions is minimal at best, as they were used to dealing most often with mere tremors.

[[File:2023 Gaziantep Earthquake Shelter.jpg|2023_Gaziantep_Earthquake_Shelter]] — Many have donated to help the displaced people from the earthquake. It destroyed a numerous amount of homes and leaving people without shelter.

The death toll has climbed up in Turkey to 35,418. And around 5,801 people in Syria have died. In total, the death toll reaches 41,000. The previous record for the death count because of an earthquake in Turkey was the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Now, the record has been replaced by the most recent earthquake. This has affected millions across both countries, people and animals alike. There were roughly 4.6 million children living in Turkey. In Syria, about 2.5 million children are living in the affected areas. Children have been widely affected with many being killed and countless injured. It is to be said but not confirmed, that it is likely for the death count of children is in the thousands. Already devastated families who have lost their homes and have very little support, are left out in the cold with not a lot of belongings. Many are still looking for family members with the hope of them returning home. While others are finding their loved ones crushed beneath the rubble of buildings.

In order to help Turkey, Syria has opened two more of their border crossings from Turkey. They are going to be open for the next three months. Syria did this to help with the influx of humanitarian aid. For example, food, health, shelter, and winter supplies are being brought to help those affected. Many authorities have turned to help the devastated citizens of Turkey and Syria. The United Nations have also shown their support, by releasing $50 million from their funds for emergency earthquake relief.