Deadly earthquake strikes Türkiye and Syria

#Catastrophes, #Earthquake, #Copernicus, #Image in the news

Publié le 6 février 2023

A devastating earthquake hit Türkiye at 4 a.m. local time on Monday 6 February 2023, with its epicentre 23 km east of Nurdagi, in the Gaziantep province. With a magnitude of 7.8, it is considered one of the strongest earthquakes to affect Türkiye in over a century.

Hundreds of buildings collapsed in Türkiye and Syria due to the powerful quake shocks, causing thousands of injuries and the death of more than 640 people, according to official statements released at 10 am on 6 February. Rescue operations are ongoing to assist the hundreds of people who are believed to still be trapped under rubble.

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 25 January 2023, shows the location of the earthquake’s epicentre. Click here to view this image in full resolution.

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites on 25 January 2023, shows the location of the earthquake’s epicentre.
Click here to view this image in full resolution.

In an immediate response, the European Union has mobilised search and rescue teams for Türkiye following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Several Urban Search and Rescue teams are being dispatched from various European countries, and the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in direct contact with the authorities in Türkiye to coordinate further support if required.

Additionally, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) has been activated to support the assessment of the consequences of the earthquake in Türkiye through the provision of emergency mapping.  

Source:

Copernicus. (2023d, February 6). Deadly earthquake strikes Türkiye and Syria. Image of the Day.