At least 8 people injured after recent earthquakes in Hatay province

At least eight people were injured after recent earthquakes in Hatay province, Vice President of Türkiye Fuat Oktay reported on Monday (February 20).

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— Fuat Oktay (@fuatoktay) February 20, 2023

Two earthquakes jolted Türkiye’s southernmost Hatay province just two weeks after major quakes hit the region, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported. In particular, one of the quakes occurred at around 8.04 p.m. local time (1704GMT) in the Defne district of Hatay, with a magnitude of 6.4, while the other took place three minutes later, with the epicenter in Hatay’s Samandag province, with a magnitude of 5.8.

The first quake took place at a depth of 16.7 kilometers (10.4 miles), while the second was at a depth of 7 km (4.3 miles). Both were felt in surrounding areas.

The quakes of two weeks ago, though centered in Kahramanmaras, 100 kilometers or more from Hatay, caused extensive damage in Hatay.

AFAD issued warnings urging citizens to avoid coastal areas as a precaution against the risk of a rise in the sea level, which could reach up to 50 centimeters (1.6 feet).

Vice President Fuat Oktay called on citizens in the region to stay away from damaged buildings as authorities scan the affected areas.

Anadolu correspondents reported that some buildings collapsed after the earthquakes, which were also felt in neighboring Syria.