Disaster Management Authority AFAD reported that the earthquakes rattling Turkey have claimed more than 17,000 lives and left over 70,000 people injured. The update came through official channels and was cited by DEA News as the situation evolved across multiple provinces. AFAD provided a running tally indicating that as the latest figures stood, the fatality count reached 17,134 while injuries stood at 70,347, underscoring the scale of the disaster and the ongoing rescue and relief efforts across the country.
Earlier communications from Russia’s Ministry of Emergencies noted that three additional Turkish citizens were rescued from the rubble in Hatay, highlighting the ongoing search and rescue operations in the hardest hit regions. In this context, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, released satellite imagery showing the widespread damage across the affected southeast of Turkey. The agency explained that, at the request of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies, space surveillance resources were mobilized to assess the ground conditions and help direct relief efforts where they were most needed. This collaboration illustrated how international partnerships can contribute to immediate humanitarian response in the wake of a disaster of this magnitude.
On February 6, a powerful earthquake struck Turkey, triggering aftershocks that also devastated parts of Syria and Iran. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the event as the strongest earthquake to affect the region since 1939 and declared seven days of national mourning. In addition, a state of emergency was proclaimed for 90 days in ten provinces most affected by the disaster, enabling faster mobilization of resources and relief operations. The catastrophe prompted wide-ranging emergency responses, with communities coming together to support survivors, conduct search and rescue missions, and provide essential services to those displaced by the shaking. The remarkable scale of the calamity prompted national solidarity and a sustained commitment to rapid reconstruction, with local authorities coordinating with national agencies to manage shelter, medical care, and humanitarian aid across affected areas.