Two weeks after tremors: New earthquake in Turkey

A new earthquake has hit Turkey near the border with Syria. According to eyewitnesses, other buildings in Antakya were damaged. Fears about infectious diseases are growing after the big earthquake two weeks ago.

Another earthquake struck the southeastern Turkish province of Hatay. The earthquake station in Istanbul recorded a magnitude of 6.4. The European Earthquake Observatory EMSC measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred in Samandak district. A magnitude of 6.0 or greater on the Richter scale is considered an earthquake.

People could be seen running into the streets in panic on television. According to broadcaster CNN Türk, there was a power outage in Hatay. There was also panic among the residents of the already devastated city of Defne. Reporters at the site reported that injured people screamed for help after the evening quake.

Tremors were also felt in Aleppo

The earthquake was also felt in surrounding provinces, northern Syria and Lebanon. A resident near Aleppo, Syria, said the earthquake two weeks ago was strong but did not last long.

“It scared people and made them run in the streets,” said a local resident. A spokesman for the aid agency SAMS said houses collapsed again in several places near Aleppo. Among them, the small town of Djindris, near the Turkish border, was hit hard by the earthquake two weeks ago.

Priorities of on-site assistance are changing

Just two weeks ago, a devastating earthquake hit the Turkey-Syria border, killing more than 47,000 people.

The priorities of on-site assistance are now shifting there. Many international rescue and relief teams have left – aid is now going to victims without shelter and operational infrastructure. According to the Christian aid organization Shelter Now, many of the survivors are traumatized and there is growing concern about outbreaks of infectious diseases.

EU authorities have warned about infectious diseases

The EU health commission ECDC warned that infectious diseases could spread in the affected areas in the coming weeks. Poor sanitary conditions due to destroyed infrastructure are responsible for the outbreak of diseases. Many German companies and associations have already pledged support, including providing urgently needed medicines and medical equipment.

These diseases are primarily spread through contaminated food and contaminated water. Respiratory infections are also a potential problem, they say. They have the potential to cause outbreaks, especially when survivors are holed up in makeshift shelters. However, some diseases can be prevented by vaccination, if appropriate drugs reach the disaster area.

Infrastructure work continues

As announced by the Turkish government, they are actively working to restore the infrastructure needed for drinking water in the affected areas. According to the Turkish Ministry of Urban Planning, 79 drinking water infrastructure systems have now been repaired.

In Syria, everyone is worried about the weather. According to “Shelter Now,” the need for tents, blankets and warm clothing is high due to the cold winter weather. Relief supplies can be purchased locally, so cash donations are currently the most efficient form of assistance, said aid agency director Udo Stolt.