Rescuers in Turkey and Syria are working tirelessly in near-freezing temperatures to find survivors after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks devastated the region, killing over 4,300 people and destroying thousands of buildings. The earthquake, centered near Gaziantep, is the deadliest to hit Turkey in over 20 years. The disaster has raised concerns about construction practices and building regulations in Turkey. International aid and rescue teams are being deployed from various countries, including the United States, Greece, and Israel. The United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations are mobilizing resources to provide emergency relief and long-term assistance. The economic impact of the earthquake is expected to be significant, further straining the already vulnerable regions of Turkey and Syria.

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria are working in near-freezing temperatures to find survivors after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks caused widespread devastation, killing over 4,300 people and destroying thousands of buildings. The earthquake, centered near Gaziantep, is the deadliest in Turkey in over 20 years. The disaster has raised concerns about construction practices and building regulations in Turkey. International aid and rescue teams are being deployed to assist in the efforts. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations are mobilizing resources to provide relief to the affected regions, which are already struggling with war, refugee crises, and economic challenges.

In Gaziantep, Turkey, the epicenter of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, residents fled their homes in the early hours, seeking shelter in their cars. The quake caused significant damage, including to the city's ancient castle, and resulted in over 1,000 deaths, a number expected to rise. Governor Davut Gul advised residents to stay outside and keep main roads clear. The earthquake also impacted millions of Syrian refugees living in the area. Similar devastation was reported in other parts of Turkey and Syria, with rescue operations underway.

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria are urgently searching for survivors after a powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction, killing at least 3,000 people. The 7.8 magnitude quake, followed by strong aftershocks, has led to the collapse of nearly 3,000 buildings in Turkey and significant casualties in both Turkey and Syria. The disaster has exacerbated existing humanitarian challenges in the region, including war, a refugee crisis, and economic difficulties. International aid and rescue teams are responding to Turkey's call for assistance.

In Gaziantep, Turkey, the epicenter of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, residents fled their homes and took shelter in their cars as the quake struck before dawn. The earthquake has resulted in over 1,000 deaths, with the toll expected to rise. The city's ancient castle was heavily damaged, and many wounded were rushed to local hospitals. Governor Davut Gul urged residents to stay outside and keep main roads clear. The earthquake also affected millions of Syrian refugees living in the region. Similar devastation was reported in other parts of Turkey and Syria, with emergency services conducting rescue operations.

Cuma Pişkin, a 66-year-old farmer from Dibecik Village in Gaziantep's Oğuzeli District, faces a severe agricultural crisis after his electric pump, used for irrigation, was sealed by the Enforcement Directorate despite a court's precautionary decision against cutting off electricity. Pişkin, who had won a lawsuit proving his victimization due to being unfairly billed as a commercial enterprise rather than for agricultural use, is now unable to irrigate his wheat crop, risking an 80% loss in yield and the inability to plant a second crop of corn. His situation is exacerbated by the seizure of his diesel subsidy due to the unpaid electricity bill, and he is unable to take action due to his age and financial constraints.

Former intelligence officer Vakıf Ertürk, who had been investigating the murder of Kilis Mayor Ekrem Çetin and his son Cahit Çetin, was killed in Gaziantep after being beaten by individuals with whom he had a feud. Ertürk had previously uncovered connections between the murder case and FETÖ-affiliated individuals, including former Deputy Director of Intelligence Gürsel Aktepe and the then Chief Public Prosecutor Bülent Bingöl, accusing them of covering up the crime. Despite being vindicated in court, Ertürk faced false accusations and was dismissed from his job in 2009. The murder suspect, Orhan Aslan, remains at large, and the investigation into Ertürk's death has led to the arrest of one suspect, with seven others being sought.

Despite the full lockdown in Gaziantep, Turkey, people formed long queues at the Central PTT (Post Office) to receive their social aid payments, disregarding the pandemic and social distancing rules. The queues extended from the main street to the back streets. According to the Ministry of Family and Social Services, approximately 1.2 million households with bank accounts or PTT Cards have received a support payment of 1,100 TL. The ministry aims to deliver support payments to over 820,000 needy households through Vefa Social Support Groups by Eid al-Fitr, as part of the Full Lockdown Social Aid Program, reaching over 2 million households in total.