The recent earthquake in the southeastern region of Turkey near the Syrian border caused widespread damage and disruption.
Tourists traveling to Antalya may have questions about flight and holiday cancellations, and safety.
This article offers answers to these and other frequently asked questions about the devastating earthquake and its impact on travel to Antalya. First, let's take a closer look at the earthquake in Turkey.
What Happened?
On Feb. 6, 2023, the southeastern region of Turkey was hit by two disastrous earthquakes. The first earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred at 4.17 AM local time with a depth of 11 miles in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş province, followed hours later by a second earthquake of 7.6 magnitude in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras.
These earthquakes are considered to be among the deadliest natural disasters this century. The region experienced over 180 aftershocks that were felt across the area.
The disaster has so far claimed the lives of over 3,300 people and left over 20,000 injured. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the death toll and number of injuries are expected to increase up to 8 times as rescue efforts uncover more victims in the rubble.
Below is a map of the earthquake epicenter:
Source: Daily Sabah, Courtesy of AFAD
Which Areas of Turkey Are Affected?
The earthquakes in Turkey have caused the most impact in the provinces located in the southeast of the country near the Syrian border, including Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakir, Şanlıurfa, Kilis and Adana.
Source: BBC, Courtesy of USGS
What Has Been the Response from the Turkish Government and International Community?
The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency and reached out to the international community for assistance. In response, numerous countries from around the world have offered aid and support.
Countries such as France, Germany, Israel, and the US have also offered their support, and the Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended help to both Turkey and Syria. Iran has also offered its assistance.
The European Union has sent search and rescue teams, while teams from the Netherlands and Romania have already arrived on the scene. The United Kingdom has committed to sending 76 specialists, along with equipment and rescue dogs.
How to Help Earthquake Victims in Turkey?
One way to help is by making donations to trusted organizations that are already providing relief efforts on the ground.
Here are some of the reputable organizations and their bank account information:
1. AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority)
(Note: The recipient's name must be listed as "T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı" when donating funds to the AFAD through EFT or electronic fund transfer.)
- T.C. ZIRAAT BANK INC.
- ANKARA PUBLIC CORPORATE BRANCH
- TL : TR73 0001 0017 4555 5555 5552 04
- USD : TR 46 0001 0017 4555 5555 5552 05
- EURO : TR 19 0001 0017 4555 5555 5552 06
- Bank Swift Code No : TCZBTR2A
For other bank accounts numbers, visit AFAD’s official website: Earthquake Humanitarian Aid Campaign
2. Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay)
For donations from abroad, the Ziraat Bank International AG Filiale Frankfurt account number is:
- IBAN: DE26 5122 0700 1080 0000 01
- KONTO NO: 1080000001
- BLZ: 512 20 700 SWIFT: TCZBDEFF
For donations from Turkey, the Ziraat Bank account number is:
- IBAN: TR 4800 0100 2110 0000 2868 5254 SWIFT: TCZBTR2A
For more information, visit the official website of Türk Kizilay.
3. Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe (Association of Caritas international, German Red Cross, UNICEF and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe)
For Donations from Germany:
- Spendenkonto: Commerzbank
- IBAN: DE65 100 400 600 100 400 600
- BIC: COBADEFFXXX
- Stichwort: ZDF Erdbeben Türkei Syrien
Is Antalya a Safe Travel Destination Amidst the Recent Earthquake?
Yes, Antalya is considered safe to visit as it is situated far from the earthquake-affected area and has not experienced any significant impact on tourism.
Hotels and tourist attractions in Antalya, including museums and beaches, are still operating normally.
Is There a Possibility of Flight or Holiday Cancellations to Antalya?
At present, no cancellations of flights to Antalya have been announced in response to the earthquake. The flights to Antalya airports are operating normally and the likelihood of cancellations in the near future is unlikely.
However, Adana, Gaziantep, and Hatay airports in Turkey are temporarily closed for regular operations and only flights for aid and rescue teams are being permitted to land and take off from Gaziantep and Hatay airports.
For Updated Information:
- Keep track of news on Anadolu Agency
- Get the latest news and live reports from correspondents on the ground at BBC
- View the latest earthquakes in Turkey through AFAD's map, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority: Latest Earthquakes
- For in-depth information on earthquake safety in Turkey, reach out to your embassy for advice.
To summarize, traveling to Antalya is currently safe, but it is important to stay informed and check with your airline or tour provider for any updates. If you are planning a trip to Antalya, consider reading our articles for additional support, including information on the Antalya Airport [AYT], holiday planning, and Entry Regulations.
