Disasters & Accidents

Hatay in southern Turkey struck by new magnitude-6.4 quake

Istanbul, Feb 20 (EFE).- Another large earthquake on Monday shook the southern Turkish province of Hatay, one of the worst affected by the twin tremors on February 6 that have left at least 47,000 people dead in Turkey and Syria.

The latest temblor, measuring magnitude 6.4 with its epicenter to the south of the city of Antakya, was also felt in neighboring countries.

No information was available on further damage or casualties, but numerous reporters on the ground in Antakya said the quake caused panic among survivors who are being housed in tents.

At least one already half-destroyed building collapsed entirely and debris from other structures damaged parked cars, reports NTV.

None of the buildings in Antakya were habitable following the earthquake on February 6, but debris removal teams may have been trapped by Monday’s tremor.

Many survivors of the first two temblors have been gathering around bonfires in front of collapsed buildings to help identify bodies, and could be at risk if a structure that is still standing collapses.

“It was terrible, broken windows have fallen on us. Everyone has come out of the tents in panic. Because of the darkness you still can’t see what has happened,” Ugur Sahin, a reporter for the daily BirGün, told EFE by phone.

dt-iut/ks

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