Deadly Turkey Earthquake: Rescuers Search for Survivors in Rubble

Turkey has been hit by yet another earthquake, killing at least six people and trapping many more under rubble. The 6.4 magnitude tremor struck near the city of Antakya, close to the Syrian border, which was also badly affected by a massive quake on 6 February. The earlier quakes killed tens of thousands of people in both Turkey and Syria, leaving many more homeless. The latest disaster has resulted in the collapse of already weakened buildings in both countries.

According to Turkey's disaster and emergency agency, the earthquake occurred at 20:04 local time at a depth of 10km. This was followed by a 5.8 aftershock three minutes later, with dozens more aftershocks of lesser severity. As a result, rescue crews and ambulances are racing to reach the worst affected areas, where buildings have been severely damaged.

Reports from Antakya described fear and panic in the streets, with many residents fleeing their homes as soon as the earthquakes struck. One local resident, Muna al-Omar, told Reuters news agency that she thought the earth was going to split open under her feet, while 18-year-old Ali Mazlum said that he was looking for the bodies of family members from the previous earthquake when the latest tremors hit.

Despite the relatively low death toll, it is thought that many more people are still trapped under rubble. Recovery efforts have continued in the aftermath of the disaster, with Orhan Tatar, director of Turkey's disaster and emergency agency, warning those in affected areas to be careful of falling debris. Meanwhile, in Adana, the latest earthquake drove people to a volleyball centre that had been converted into a rescue centre following the first earthquake.

As the disaster continues to unfold, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has promised to hold accountable anyone responsible for shoddy construction that led to deaths in the initial earthquake. Officials have also issued over 100 arrest warrants in connection with the construction of buildings that collapsed in the quake.

The earthquake has attracted global attention, with many countries offering their help in the wake of the disaster. In a visit to Turkey, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $100m in humanitarian aid, saying that America would help with earthquake recovery "for as long as it takes".