Revised Figures Show 59,488 Deaths in Turkey’s 2023 Earthquake Anniversary

Fri Feb 02 2024
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

ANKARA: Revisiting the tragic earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey last year, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed updated figures, indicating that the disaster claimed the lives of 53,537 people in the country.

Combined with the toll in neighboring Syria, where 1,414 lives were lost in areas under its control, and an additional 4,537 casualties in rebel-held regions according to Turkish-backed officials in northern Syria, the total death toll reaches a staggering 59,488.

The earthquake, which occurred on February 6, 2023, had a profound impact on 11 provinces across Turkey’s southeast, affecting approximately 14 million people.

The initial 7.8-magnitude tremor, followed by significant aftershocks, led to the destruction of 38,901 buildings.

On the eve of the earthquake’s anniversary, Minister Yerlikaya shared these updated figures, highlighting the severity of the tragedy. The government’s response has involved setting up 215,224 metal containers to provide housing for 691,000 survivors who lost their homes and struggled to find new accommodations.

This revised death toll makes the 2023 earthquake in Turkey one of the deadliest since the devastating earthquake in Peru in 1970, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and recovery efforts for affected communities.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp