Thousands of buildings have collapsed, including archaeological and heritage sites, churches and hospitals in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria early on Monday.
Three hospitals, the branch office of Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), and the historical Latin Catholic Church were among numerous buildings destroyed in the southern province of Hatay, one of the worst affected provinces.
Hatay’s church, known as the İskenderun Cathedral of the Annuncation, was built in 1871 and functioned as the cathedral of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia.
There are also collapsed buildings in the port of İskenderun, Rahmi Doğan, the Governor of Hatay announced.
The historical Gaziantep Castle, located in the Gaziantep city centre, was severely damaged in the earthquake. The tremors caused the stone blocks of the Roman-era castle, estimated to be 2,200 years old, to collapse.
The earthquake, which affected 10 cities in southeastern Turkey and caused thousands of deaths and injuries, destroyed 2834 buildings.
Security in prison buildings in the region were not affected by the earthquake, the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) Law Office announced, though efforts are underway to enable prisoners to communicate with their families.
Severe winter conditions are making the ongoing rescue operations still more difficult.
You can follow the live updates here.
