The Russian Ministry of Economic Development has stated that there is no available information indicating Russian tourists were affected by the earthquake in Turkey. This update comes after requests for details from tour operators and the Russian Embassy in Turkey, which reported no data on Russian travelers injured or harmed in the seismic event.
On February 6, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Turkey, with its epicenter in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş. The tremors were felt across a wide area, including Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Kayseri, Mersin, Trabzon, and Urfa. The latest figures indicate that at least 284 people lost their lives and about 2,383 sustained injuries in Turkey, with ongoing assessments and rescue efforts continuing in the affected zones. This information is confirmed by official sources and relief coordination teams after initial contact with regional authorities and service providers.
In neighboring Syria, the earthquake caused significant devastation as well, resulting in a substantial number of casualties and injuries. Reports indicate that 237 people died and 639 were injured in Syria, underscoring the widespread impact of the disaster across multiple communities and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to the leaders of both Syria and Turkey, expressing sympathy for the victims and offering support. He conveyed a commitment from Russia to provide the necessary aid to assist in relief and recovery efforts, aligning with international humanitarian responses and collaboration with allied authorities as part of a broader regional relief initiative.