Following the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş in the south of Türkiye, near the border with Istanbul, authorities report a devastating death toll that has surpassed 43,500 as of this Thursday. Across the border in Syria, fatalities are similarly grave, with approximately 4,000 additional deaths confirmed, bringing the combined total in both nations to well over 47,000. This catastrophe has left communities reeling and prompted an urgent, coordinated humanitarian response from regional and international partners. (Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and regional civil defense agencies attribution.)
In remarks broadcast by TRT Haber, Türkiye’s interior minister Suleyman Soylu provided an updated figure, stating that 43,556 deaths have been confirmed to date and describing the earthquake as among the strongest ever recorded. He underscored the government’s commitment to accountability, explaining that every life lost is a profound loss for the nation and that the response must reflect the severity of the disaster. (Source: Turkish official statements attribution.)
The minister emphasized a collective resolve: communities affected face unimaginable trauma, yet unity and solidarity are essential to recovery. He suggested that the nation would emerge stronger from this painful chapter through shared sacrifice, coordinated relief, and persistent public support. (Source: official remarks attribution.)
He also highlighted the resilience of the people, noting that while cities have suffered extensive destruction, hope remains a critical force. The path forward requires renewed effort, meticulous planning, and unwavering determination to rebuild lives and infrastructure. (Source: official remarks attribution.)
Authorities have documented nearly 8,000 aftershocks since the initial quake, a reminder of the ongoing seismic aftereffects complicating rescue and recovery work. The main event registered at magnitude 7.4 on the open-scale system, with assessments indicating that roughly three-quarters of Kahramanmaraş’s buildings sustained damage or collapse. The scale of damage has prompted urgent housing, shelter, and reconstruction planning across affected provinces. (Source: geological and civil defense agencies attribution.)
In the broader casualty landscape, deaths in Türkiye and Syria are recorded separately: in government-controlled areas of Syria, about 1,414 fatalities, and in areas controlled by various rebel factions, around 2,274 lives lost, according to civil defense authorities known as the White Helmets. These figures reflect the fluid and challenging conditions on the ground, where access, safety, and reporting vary by locale. (Source: Syrian Civil Defense data attribution.)
Estimating the total impact in Syria proves difficult, particularly in the northwest where multiple rebel groups exercise influence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) provides a cautious range, estimating between 4,000 and 4,400 deaths in the affected areas. This range acknowledges the complexities of data collection in conflict zones, where independent verification is limited. (Source: United Nations OCHA attribution.)