Three dead after Turkey-Syria border region hit by 6.4 magnitude earthquake two weeks on from disaster
20 February 2023, 17:40 | Updated: 21 February 2023, 01:14
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck the Turkey-Syria border two weeks after the region was hit by a huge quake that left over 40,000 people dead, US Geological Survey has said.
The quake hit Turkey's Hatay province which had already been ravaged by two massive quakes in the disaster earlier this month.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that three people had been killed and over 200 were injured in the quake, which was followed by a 5.8 magnitude tremor.
More than 130 injuries have been recorded in neighbouring Syria.
Earlier it was reported that search and rescue efforts were underway in three collapsed buildings where six people were believed to be trapped.
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Two witnesses said there was a strong earthquake as well as further damage to buildings in central Antakya, Turkey, which is still recovering from two huge earthquakes just two weeks ago.
Other witnesses said that after the latest quake, Turkish rescue teams were running around and checking that people were unharmed.
The country's AFAD disaster management agency has said the latest quake was centred around the town of Defne.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles).
Local resident Muna Al Omar said she was in a tent in a park in central Antakya when it hit.
"I thought the earth was going to split open under my feet," she said tearfully, as holding her 7-year-old son in her arms.
"Is there going to be another aftershock?" she asked.
According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, the quake was felt in Syria, Jordan, Israel and Egypt.
The region is still reeling from a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude quake that struck on February 6 killing almost 45,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
Over than 6,000 aftershocks have been recorded by Turkish authorities.
