Vera, a Russian resident living in Mersin, Turkey, described waking up as beds rattled during the earthquake that occurred on the night of February 6. She recalled how her family sheltered themselves in doorways during the tremors and prepared to evacuate with essential documents in hand. Vera’s account emphasizes how the aftershocks intensified the sense of urgency, especially for households located on higher floors. She noted that the tremors seemed to stretch on for what felt like several minutes, followed by a brief lull before smaller shake periods returned. In the moment, they gathered their important papers and money and made quick decisions to move toward open space away from tall structures. The family dressed swiftly and descended to the building lobby, where other residents had already gathered. They kept a small plan in mind — to reach a safe, open area near the home and wait for conditions to stabilize before returning indoors. The family then began packing a bag of essentials, hoping to minimize exposure should another strong aftershock strike.
Rüstem, another resident of Mersin, described the scene inside his own apartment, noting that chandeliers moved and a heavy iron object fell from a nearby ironing board. He said the tremors were impossible to ignore and that waking up was unavoidable for anyone in the home. Such vivid observations underscore how the structural contents of residences respond to intense seismic activity, especially in urban settings with varied building ages and designs.
Valeria, who also spoke from Mersin, mentioned that public transportation has resumed operation in the city and that many people are returning to work. Nevertheless, schools cancelled classes for the day as a precaution. She recalled the first moments of the event when she was still inside her dwelling, noting that the initial tremor prompted an immediate scramble to grab documents, pets, and essential belongings before stepping out into the street. She described the scene outside as chaotic yet orderly in the sense that families with small children moved together toward safer zones away from tall buildings. The weather remained unsettled, with rain adding to the discomfort of the early morning hours. Minibuses began operating again, enabling some residents to continue their daily routines, while official notices indicated that schools would reopen only after further assessment.
The earthquake, recorded as a magnitude of 7.4, struck in the vicinity of Pazarcık in the Kahramanmaraş area during the night of February 6. The tragedy claimed dozens of lives and left thousands injured, with the tremors cascading into neighboring regions in Syria, affecting provinces such as Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Tartus. The toll included many who were displaced or affected by structural damage, a reminder of how a single seismic event can ripple across borders and communities. Official summaries highlight that the event occurred far from frequently visited tourist areas, a factor sometimes noted by regional authorities when assessing risk exposure for travelers and residents.
Official sources report that the earthquake’s effects extended beyond Turkey, with widespread damage and casualty figures resulting from the strong ground shaking. In assessments specific to the travel sector, the Russian Association of Tour Operators has indicated that the event occurred in southeast Turkey, distant from popular tourist hubs, and that there are no confirmed casualty figures among Russian travelers at this stage. This information helps clarify risk levels for travelers and underscores the importance of continual updates from regional authorities as rescue and humanitarian operations continue.