At 4:17 am on February 6th, 2023, a devastating 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria. It was followed by a 7.6 tremor. Centered near the cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş, the affected area included many cities such as Hatay, Malatya, Adana, Urfa, Adiyaman.
Both large quakes and the aftershocks that followed had devastating consequences. Tragically, tens of thousands of people lost their lives in both Turkey and northern Syria.
Dozens of countries from around the world rushed to provide support to the search and rescue efforts as well as to help provide relief to the survivors.
How can I help?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to visit Turkey?
Travel to the earthquake region has been limited following the declaration of a 3 month state of emergency. Ongoing work to stabilize the area means that it could take some time before the region will be open for tourism. However, the rest of the country remains safe and open for tourism. There is no increased threat or risk. In fact, locals appreciate tourism that continues to support the country.
What should I do in an earthquake?
If there is an earthquake and you are indoors, you should drop, cover, and hold on. If you are outdoors, you should try to go to an open space and avoid being near buildings or structures. Read more here.
Are there any other risks to visiting Turkey?
When traveling, it's natural to be concerned about safety. In fact, we have written many pages about safety in Turkey and tips for safe travels. Turkey has experienced a period of relative calm and has seen tourism grow rapidly in the past two years. If you want to hear more from locals and frequent travelers to Turkey, we recommend joining our Facebook group.
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