On February 6, Turkey was shaken by two massive earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude centered in Kahramanmaraş. According to the latest official data, 20,213 people lost their lives and more than 80,000 people were injured.
The earthquake, which was felt in Gaziantep, Malatya, Batman, Bingöl, Elazığ, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, Şırnak, Van, Muş, Bitlis, Hakkari, Adana and Osmaniye, caused devastation especially in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay.
Search and rescue operations in the cities hit by the earthquake continue on the fifth day, with many people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings waiting to be rescued.
Surviving earthquake victims are also struggling with harsh weather conditions.
What is happening hour by hour in the earthquake zone:
HOUR – 21:45
Minister of Health Koca reported that 20,213 people lost their lives and 80,52 people were injured in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. “We are uploading the digital photos of patients whose identities we do not know to special software for matching. I hope we will reach the identity information of a significant part of them. 20 thousand of our citizens rescued from under the rubble were transferred to provinces outside the region by air, land ambulances and sea vehicles after emergency intervention.”
HOUR 20:54
AFAD reported that 19,875 people lost their lives and 79,717 people were injured in Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes as of 20:30.
18:10 HRS-18:10
Mehmet Yaşar Coşkun, the contractor of Rönesans Residence, who arrived in Istanbul from Antalya on February 8 and was detained at the airport today, was planning to flee to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, on the 19.50 flight.
HOUR – 17:20
President Erdoğan announced that the number of people who lost their lives in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş was 19,388 and the number of injured was 77,711.
President Erdoğan: “Currently, more than 141 thousand personnel are actively working in our 10 provinces, including teams from abroad. This process is not a process of abuse. Today is a day of unity, solidarity, a day to join hands with our citizens as one heart. Do not give any premium to provocateurs who want to provoke you with false news, especially through social media platforms.”
HOUR – 17:38
The dates of SSK and BAG-KUR income and monthly payments have been brought forward by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
According to the statement made by the Ministry, the Social Security Institution (SGK) has decided to bring forward the date of SSK and BAG-KUR payments within the scope of 4A and 4B after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş.
Income and pensions to be paid on February 17-26 for 4/A (SSK) insured persons will be paid on February 14-16, and income and pensions to be paid on February 25-28 for 4/B (BAG-KUR) insured persons will be deposited into their accounts on February 16 and 17.
SSK pensions for February 17-20 will be paid on February 14, February 21-24 will be paid on February 15, and February 25 and 26 will be paid on February 16.
BAG-KUR pensions to be paid on February 25 and 26 will be deposited on February 16, and those to be paid on February 27 and 28 will be deposited on February 17.
HOUR- 15:51
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that 18,991 people lost their lives and 75,523 people were rescued in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş.
President Erdoğan made statements in the tent city established at Adıyaman University Stadium.
President Erdoğan stated that more than 76 thousand disaster victims were evacuated to other provinces after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş.
Erdoğan said, “Some unknown people rob markets and attack workplaces. With the state of emergency, the necessary sanctions will be imposed on those who commit these abuses as soon as they are caught.”
President Erdoğan said, “Our priority has always been people and lives. We will not give opportunity to abuse, our sincerity on this issue cannot be questioned by anyone.”
President Erdoğan continued as follows:
“We will ensure that our citizens who do not want to stay in tents will move to residences by paying the rent for one year.”
President Erdoğan said, “THY has to bring both those who go and those who come free of charge, and the necessary instructions have been given to them.”
“At a time like this, when unity and solidarity are needed, do not give a premium to those who exploit this,” Erdoğan said:
“Please do not collect and send aid randomly without contacting AFAD or other organizations, especially the Red Crescent, which are carrying out aid activities in the region.”
President Erdoğan said, “Providing cash aid through AFAD is a method that will eliminate abuses and hesitations. Every penny of the aid donated to AFAD accounts by people from all walks of life, from our business world to our tradesmen, is spent for the activities in the earthquake zone.”
Erdoğan continued his words as follows:
“We are preparing to give 15 thousand liras per household together with relocation assistance. We are preparing a comprehensive program that will enable the country to get back on its feet, especially in the earthquake region.”
11:51 A.M.
Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer said that students who will take the LGS this year will not be held responsible for the second semester subjects and students who will take the YKS will not be held responsible for the second semester subjects of the 12th grade.
HOUR 09:53
According to a written statement by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), 1509 aftershocks occurred after the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes centered in Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş.
The loss of life in Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana, Adıyaman, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya and Elazığ provinces was 18,991. 75 thousand 523 people were injured in the earthquakes. Over 76 thousand disaster victims were evacuated from the affected provinces.
There are 30,306 search and rescue personnel from AFAD, PAK, JAK, JÖAK, DİSAK, Coast Guard, DAK, Trust, fire brigade, evacuation, MEB, NGOs and international teams working in the region.
The number of search and rescue personnel from other countries was recorded as 6,810.
Together with the number of field personnel assigned from AFAD, Police, Gendarmerie, MSB, UMKE, ambulance teams, volunteers, local security and local support teams, the number of personnel working in the region reached 121 thousand 128.
12 thousand 241 vehicles, including excavators, tow trucks, cranes, dozers, trucks, tractor trucks, tractor trailers, graders, vacuum trucks and similar construction equipment were dispatched to the disaster area.
With the “air bridge” established for the delivery of personnel and materials to the region with 150 aircraft of the Air Force, Land Forces, Coast Guard and Gendarmerie General Command, 1310 sorties were made.
