7.8 Earthquake hits Turkey & Syria

On February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, according to the United States Geological Survey. It was felt in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon as well. There were dozens of aftershocks, including a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey after the first one. According to The New York Times, the earthquake was “Turkey’s deadliest earthquake since 1939, when more than 30,000 people were killed, and among the deadliest worldwide in decades. Turkey’s two main fault zones, the East Anatolian and the North Anatolian, make it one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and more than 70 quakes of magnitude 6.5 or higher have been recorded in the region since 1900.” 

Over 2,800 buildings have collapsed in Turkey, including hospitals, schools, and government buildings. Sasha Ekanayake, Save the Children Turkey Country Director, said,”This is one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in 100 years and made thousands homeless, while the region is experiencing freezing weather and snowstorms. Schools in the affected areas are now closed for a week. Our teams are moving quickly to check all our staff are safe, and to respond to the emergency, but it’s crucial that the international community acts now to provide support to the thousands of people in need.” 4 million people were already in need of humanitarian aid, says Save The Children. 

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