A large earthquake has struck on the Turkey-Syria border tonight (Monday, February 20) just days after thousands died in the last disaster. The US Geological Survey has said the latest quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale.
It reportedly took place 3km southwest of Uzunbağ, Turkey. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said it was at a depth of 2km.
Al Jazeera reported that witnesses saw Turkish rescue teams checking if people were unharmed after the incident at 5.04pm. Resident Muna al-Omar, told the channel she was in a tent in a park in central Antakya when the earthquake hit.
“I thought the Earth was going to split open under my feet,” she said, holding her 7-year-old son in her arms. “Is there going to be another aftershock?”
Just two weeks ago on February 6, A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the south-east of Turkey as well as northern Syria. It was closely followed by one of 7.5 magnitude.
The death toll is now believed to have surpassed 40,000 people in Turkey, according to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. UN officials have warned the number of people killed could exceed 50,000.
