An aerial image taken on February 20, 2023 shows collapsed buildings and houses in Antakya, southern Turkey. (Credit: YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)
At least three dead and more than 213 injured leave the 6.3 magnitude aftershock that shook Turkey on Monday, just two weeks after a devastating earthquake claimed the lives of thousands of people, authorities said.
The three people killed are reported in the cities of Antakya, Defne and Samandağ, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said.
Rescue services are still searching three buildings, he said.
The epicenter of the quake was in Defne, in southern Turkey, Soylu said.
Since the initial 6.3 quake, 26 more aftershocks have been felt, the official added.
Soylu also stated that it appears that part of the main fault in Antakya was ruptured in the last earthquake.
“In the evaluation we did with our teachers, there is information that another part of the fault broke in Antakya,” he said.
In northwestern Syria, more than 130 injuries are reported, the White Helmets volunteer rescue group said.
No deaths have been reported so far, the White Helmets said.
The aftershock caused the collapse of several buildings that had already suffered damage from the previous earthquake.
“Our teams are working to bring the injured to hospitals, survey the affected towns and cities, and remove rubble to open roads for ambulances,” the White Helmets said.