February 6, 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake news

By Tara Subramaniam, Rhea Mogul, Adam Renton, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury and Amir Vera, CNN

Updated 0503 GMT (1303 HKT) February 7, 2023
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10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Turkey requests emergency aid from NATO

From CNN's James Frater

Turkey has sent a formal request to NATO and allies for assistance in dealing with the aftermath of Monday's earthquake.

The country has requested medical assistance and equipment, various urban search and rescue units as well as "extreme weather-proof fully equipped field hospitals with technical personnel for assembly."

The response is being coordinated by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, which is based at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Turkey and Syria death toll surpasses 2,000 following devastating earthquake

From CNN's Isil Sariyuce and Mia Alberti 

The death toll across Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 2,318 after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Turkey early Monday.

The total death toll in Turkey is 1,498, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). 

The total death toll in Syria is 820. SANA reports 430 across government-controlled areas and the "White Helmets" group, officially known as the Syria Civil Defense, reported 390 deaths in opposition-controlled areas.

10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

The earthquake destroyed a historic mosque in Turkey. Here's what it looked like before

The Yeni mosque in Malatya, Turkey, was destroyed by the powerful earthquake.

Take a look at the site before and after the earthquake:

Partially damaged historical Yeni Mosque after the earthquake on February 6, in Malatya, Turkey.
Partially damaged historical Yeni Mosque after the earthquake on February 6, in Malatya, Turkey. (Volkan Kasik/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Yeni Mosque in Malatya, Turkey.
Yeni Mosque in Malatya, Turkey. (Adobe Stock)
10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

European soccer expresses solidarity with those impacted by Turkey earthquake 

From CNN's Zayn Nabbi

European soccer's governing body, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), sent well wishes to "all those affected by this morning’s devastating earthquake" in Turkey, the sports association said in a post on social media Thursday. 

"The thoughts of UEFA and the European football community are with the people of Türkiye and Syria, and all those affected by this morning’s devastating earthquake," UEFA said on Twitter. 

Meanwhile, European champions Real Madrid also expressed their "solidarity for the catastrophe now suffered in Turkey and Syria as the result of the earthquake which took place in the last few hours. Our club wants to express its condolences and affection for the family members of the victims. Likewise, we wish for the quick recovery of the injured."

German giants Bayern Munich too sent a message of condolence Thursday saying, "FC Bayern München is sending out prayers to the earthquake victims and their loved ones," while the French club Paris Saint-Germain said: “Following the severe earthquake that occurred overnight in Kahramanmaras that has caused a number of deaths, Paris Saint-Germain would like to show its support for the people of Turkey, as well as all the players, coaches and staff in the Red-and-Blue family and their loved ones.”

Iconic English soccer club Liverpool also posted on social media saying: “Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” and reigning Serie A champs AC Milan said the Italian club "offers its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the earthquakes that have struck Turkey and Syria. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with you." 

10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Turkey closes schools nationwide for a week

From CNN's Isil Sariyuce 

All schools nationwide in Turkey will be closed for a week due to the recent earthquakes, Turkish education Minister Mahmut Özer announced Monday.

More than 1,800 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early Monday. 

10:46 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Austria will send aid to Turkey following earthquake

From CNN's Inke Kappeler

Austria will deploy 84 soldiers from its Disaster Relief Unit to Turkey to support rescue operations in the region as of Tuesday, according to a government news release. 

The country will also pledge three million euros ($3.2 million) to support aid organizations in their work on the ground.

Due to the scale and impact of Monday’s earthquake, Austria will “provide rapid humanitarian aid,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in the news release. 

“The terrible pictures that have reached us today from Turkey and Syria after the earthquakes show drastic damage and a large number of victims. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the victims and their families,“ Nehammer added. 

According to current plans, the disaster relief mission of the Austrian Armed Forces is scheduled to last for about 10 days. Three rescue and recovery groups consisting of medical, logistics and hygiene experts can be deployed to two separate search locations, the government said. 

“We are standing with the people in Turkey and Syria in this difficult situation," the Austrian chancellor said.

9:22 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Footage shows workers rescuing toddler and others from rubble after deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria

More than 1,800 people have died in Turkey and Syria, and thousands more injured, after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Turkey.

Rescue workers were seen pulling out a toddler and a man from rubble at a site.

Watch video of the rescues as CNN's Jomana Karadsheh reports from Istanbul:

8:52 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

Turkey's death toll surpasses 1,100 after powerful earthquake

From CNN's Isil Sariyuce in Istanbul 

The death toll has risen to 1,121 in Turkey following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD).

A total of 1,121 people have died, 7,634 were injured and 2,834 buildings were damaged in Turkey, said Orhan Tatar, AFAD's general director.

The total death toll in Syria stands at more than 800.

8:50 a.m. ET, February 6, 2023

UK sending search and rescue specialists to Turkey following devastating earthquake

From CNN’s Eve Brennan and Max Foster in London  

The UK is sending 76 search and rescue specialists to Turkey following the powerful earthquake that hit the country early Monday morning, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Monday. 

Cleverly said in a statement that the UK is sending “immediate support” to Turkey, “including a team of 76 search & rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs.”

“In Syria, the UK-funded White Helmets have mobilised their resources to respond,” he added, pledging to provide further support if needed.

According to the statement, a flight is expected to depart the UK at 4 p.m. local (11 a.m. ET) for Gaziantep.

“The Government is in contact with British humanitarian workers in the affected areas, and we stand ready to provide support to any British nationals affected,” the statement added.