The second tremor to strike Turkey, recorded at 13:24 Moscow time, reached Yerevan, Armenia with a magnitude of about 3 on the Richter scale, according to the Armenian Seismic Protection Service. In Gyumri, tremors in the range of 3 to 4 were reported by residents who felt the aftershocks echoing through the city. The sequence of events that day underscored how a powerful earthquake can ripple across borders, leaving people startled and seeking information about what happened, how strong the shaking was, and what dangers might follow. The Armenian authorities noted that even moderate quakes can generate anxiety and prompt precautionary measures, especially in regions with active fault lines nearby and in communities that have experienced seismic events in the past.
On the morning of February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Turkey with a magnitude estimated around 7.7, though some sources recorded 7.4. The epicenter was the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, a region that bore the brunt of the shake. The force of the ground movement was so intense that it was clearly felt across several major cities, including Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Kayseri, Mersin, Trabzon, and Urfa. In the immediate aftermath, authorities declared the highest alert level as search-and-rescue operations, medical responses, and humanitarian assessments swung into action. The event dominated national discourse and international attention, highlighting the scale of damage that can accompany a rupture in such a densely populated area.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the human toll and the scale of the catastrophe in the wake of the tremors: more than 900 people had died and thousands were injured to varying degrees. The numbers evolved rapidly as rescue crews, volunteers, and medical teams worked around the clock to reach affected neighborhoods, assess collapsed structures, and deliver essential aid to those in danger or in need of shelter, food, and water. The emotional and logistical strain on survivors was immense, with communities pulling together in solidarity, sharing resources, and supporting one another through a difficult and uncertain period.
The same day, seismic activity was reported in neighboring Syria, as well as in Iraq and Lebanon. Early casualty figures in Syria indicated hundreds of fatalities and injuries, with the toll continuing to rise as emergency responders reached more affected areas and assessed the extent of structural damage. The cross-border impact of a major Turkish quake underscored how regional seismic hazard can create a cascade of humanitarian needs, prompting international aid and coordinated relief efforts to address urgent shelter, medical care, and stabilization for displaced families across multiple countries. In the aftermath, officials emphasized the importance of rapid response, accurate information, and robust rescue operations to save lives and mitigate further risk from aftershocks and compromised infrastructure. The focus remained on coordinated local and regional action, including temporary housing for displaced residents, medical triage, and ongoing monitoring of aftershock activity to guide safety measures for communities across the region.