ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6, 2023, at 4:17 a.m., followed by a 7.5 aftershock. The quakes killed over 59,000 people—50,000 in Turkey, 8,500 in Syria—and injured 120,000. It was the deadliest earthquake in Turkey's modern history.
What happened
The disaster destroyed 300,000 buildings. Poor construction and lax enforcement of building codes amplified casualties in Turkey. Syria's civil war hampered aid to rebel-held areas. International rescue teams from 90 countries responded.
Why it still matters
The earthquake exposed corruption in Turkey's construction industry and led to political consequences for Erdogan's government. February 6, 2023, demonstrated how natural disasters intersect with governance.
Background
Cold weather hampered rescues.