After the initial reports of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hitting Turkey Monday night, it was revealed that a second one followed right after it.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the first earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4 and struck at 8:04 p.m. local time with the epicenter in the Defne district.
It occurred at a depth of 16.7 kilometers (10.4 miles).
Only three minutes later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 hit the Samandağ district in Hatay, at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
The earthquakes were felt in ten other provinces, which were significantly impacted by the previous two major earthquakes.
Eyewitnesses in the area noted that some buildings damaged in the previous quakes have now been destroyed.
Reports have also emerged of aftershocks, measuring 3.9 and 4.5 in magnitude, occurring shortly after.
AFAD has called on citizens in Hatay to evacuate the coastline as a precaution against the risk of a rise in sea levels, which could reach up to 50 centimeters (1.6 ft).
In Lebanon, thousands of people evacuated taking to the streets as a precaution out of fear their residences may collapse.
On February 6th, 2023, two devastating earthquakes struck Turkey with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5. The earthquakes caused widespread damage in both Turkey and Syria, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities and many injuries. The impact was felt across Lebanon, with shockwaves reaching as high as 5 magnitude and subsequent tremors.
On February 20th, 2023, another two earthquakes hit southern Turkey, with a magnitude of 6.4 and 5.8 just minutes apart.
