AFAD announced that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred at 20:04, the epicenter of which was the Defne district of Hatay.
According to the information given by the Kandilli Observatory, the earthquake occurred 7.7 km below the ground. 3 minutes after this earthquake, at 20.07, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 occurred, this time in the Samandağ district of Hatay.
It was reported that the buildings damaged in the first earthquakes were demolished after the tremor, and dust fumes were covering the area.
Here are the last minute developments and explanations after the earthquake…
23.45
Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun emphasized that after the earthquakes, social media content that has not been confirmed through official channels and whose accuracy is not sure should not be respected.
23.44
Mersin Governorship: “Across our Mersin province, education was suspended for one (1) day on Tuesday, 21.02.2023, and schools were suspended. In addition, our pregnant and disabled personnel working in public institutions and our female personnel who have children at the age of 10 and younger will be considered on administrative leave. “
23.35
After the 6.4 earthquake that occurred in Hatay, the evacuation decision was made for Mustafa Kemal University Hospital. While the patients in good condition are treated in the tents in the hospital garden, the ones in serious condition are transferred to the surrounding hospitals by ambulances.
23.33
One person was rescued from the wreckage in Hatay.
23.30
AFAD: “An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred in Defne district of Hatay province at 20.04. After the earthquake, 32 aftershocks, the largest of which was 5.8, were experienced. Three of our citizens lost their lives due to the earthquake, and 213 of our citizens were transferred to hospitals in the surrounding area.”
23.04
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu: “There was an independent earthquake. Then all our teams started to scan the area. As a result of the scanning of the area, we found out that 3 of our citizens, one of Antakya, one of Defne, and one of Samandağ, lost their lives after this independent earthquake.
So far, 213 of our citizens have been transferred to hospitals.
Search and rescue efforts continue in 3 wrecks. We have 3 citizens in a wreck, 2 in a wreck, and 1 in a wreck. There have been 42 reports so far. 42 notifications were also made.”
22.24
Gokhan Zan: “Friends, we are fine. May Allah be pleased with everyone who tries to reach, calls and asks.”
22.09
Kandilli Observatory shared the information that an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 occurred in Hatay / Samandag.
#EARTHQUAKE
CEYLANDERE-SAMANDAG (HATAY) https://t.co/ZoXFbebCPA
20.02.2023, 22:09:19 CET
Size: 4.2
Depth: 5.0 km#Kandilli— Kandilli Observatory (@Kandilli_info) February 20, 2023
22.01
Volkan Demirel: “I’m fine. Please stay away from buildings.”
21.56
Vice President Oktay: “Kandilli had a warning about the water rise. We talked to Kandilli, they said they have a standard 2-hour practice. The warning has been removed because there is no such risk at the moment.”
21.56
Vice President Fuat Oktay: “We have 8 injured people brought to hospitals. We are evaluating each report.”
21.38
Antalya Governorship: “Our citizens are strongly requested to stay away from the seaside.”
21.35
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu: “We have been informed that there is destruction in Samandağ and Defne.”
21.10
Adana Governor Süleyman Elban said that there was no destruction in the city due to the earthquakes in Hatay.
20.58
AFAD: “After the earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.4 and 5.8 that occurred in Hatay, our relevant teams are vigilant and respond quickly to incoming reports.”
20.47
Vice President Fuat Oktay: “Our investigations on Hatay-centered earthquakes continue. We ask our citizens to stay away from damaged buildings.”
20.28
In the half-hour period between 20.04 and 20.28, 9 earthquakes occurred.
20.14
AFAD announced that there was an earthquake of 4.5 magnitude in Samandağ, Hatay, at 20:14 this time.
20.08
Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar and Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca were caught in two earthquakes in Hatay during their meeting at the AFAD Coordination Center.
Minister Akar and Minister Koca, who went out of the building, went to the Mobile Coordination Center to evaluate the latest situation in the city after the earthquake..
20.07
A second earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 occurred, this time in the Samandağ district of Hatay.
20.04
AFAD announced that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred at 20:04, the epicenter of which was the Defne district of Hatay.