Another set of earthquakes struck near the Turkey-Syria border region. The first was a 6.4-magnitude earthquake and the second one measured 5.8. It killed at least three people, and has come just two weeks after the area was hit by tremors that killed tens of thousands of people.
READ MORE: Rescue teams return from Turkey-Syria to hero’s welcome
Twin earthquakes strike again
The second earthquake, measuring of 5.8 magnitude, struck the region mere minutes after the first. Turkey’s Disaster Management Agency says it was centred in Hatay’s Samandag district.
Already-weakened buildings stood no chance and toppled over during Monday’s tremors. Turkey’s Interior Minister, Suleyman Soylu says over 200 others have injuries. The three deaths occurred in Antakya, Defne and Samandag. Minister Soylu is also urging people not to enter potentially dangerous buildings.
READ MORE: Groundbreaking medical procedure at Groote Schuur Hospital transforms kidney transplants
In Antakya, reports speak of fear and panic in the streets. Ambulances and rescue teams are doing their best to reach the worst affected areas and pull survivors from the rubble.
While the recent quakes are less powerful than the 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that devastated the region on February 6, its threatens more destruction in a region where many have fled they destroyed homes for shelter outside the quake zone.
The effects in Syria
About 500 people sustained injuries in Syria. Some people are seeking assistance at hospitals following Monday’s quakes. The country’s state news agency (SANA) reports six people have injuries in Aleppo from falling debris. The Mayor of Hatay says a number of buildings collapsed – trapping people inside. The Syrian American Medical Society says it has treated a number of patients, including many who suffered heart attacks brought on by fear.
Egypt, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan could reportedly feel Monday’s earthquakes.
Magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes tore a line of destruction through southeast Turkey and neighbouring Syria. The February 6 disaster killed more than 47,000 people and left about one million people homeless.
READ MORE: Earthquake survivors: ‘Worse than the bombardment in Syria’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says construction of about 200,000 apartments in 11 earthquake-struck provinces will begin next month. The economic cost of the destruction will run into the tens of billions of dollars.
