(Times Of Israel) A powerful earthquake centered in Turkey was felt across parts of Israel early Monday morning, jostling residents of Tel Aviv and the north, and causing extensive damage elsewhere.
The quake knocked down buildings in southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing at least 5 people, according to an initial Turkish tally.
On social media, videos showed buildings reduced to piles of rubble, as frantic rescuers tore through the wreckage to look for survivors.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in Israel from the 7.8 magnitude temblor, which was centered some 23 kilometers (14 miles) east of Nurdagi, Turkey, according to the United State Geological Survey, which tracks earthquakes.
It was recorded at a depth of 17.9 kilometers and struck at 3:17 a.m. in Israel. Strong aftershocks of 6.7 and 5.6 shook the ground again moments after the initial quake, with reports that those as well were felt in Israel.
The quake was also felt in Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Jordan, Iraq and as far away as Romania, Georgia, and Egypt, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
Several buildings, residential complexes collapsed after powerful earthquake that hit southeastern #Turkey. Hundreds are trapped under the rubble’s. pic.twitter.com/914xZeRnKa
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) February 6, 2023
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management agency, AFAD, said the quake measured 7.4 and was centered in the town of Pazarcik, in Kahramanmaras province.
רעידת האדמה בטורקיה | תיעוד: מבנים שקרסו בעיר אורפה, הסמוכה לגזיאנטפ, שם היה מקור הרעידה@DovGilHar pic.twitter.com/qYLIhqTnAg
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 6, 2023
Several buildings tumbled down in the neighboring provinces of Malatya, Diyarbakir and Malatya, HaberTurk television reported. There was no immediate reports on casualties.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes.
Malatya, near Divan Hastane [Hospital], a hotel collapsed according to the cameraman #Turkey #Earthquake https://t.co/BRgD3nB7RC pic.twitter.com/KOXmmZ7EE0
— Aleph א (@no_itsmyturn) February 6, 2023
Tevfik Temelli caddesi arılar fırını üsttü acil AFAD itfaiye gelmesi lazım..
1 bina komple yıkıldı..
112 ulaşılamıyor..
Acillllll
Malatya İstanbul deprem pic.twitter.com/dZBrFT44eQ— KoLŞiSiN (@ysk34_) February 6, 2023
