New Footage from Gaziantep: National Mourning Declared in Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared a national mourning following the earthquake that claimed more than 1500 lives. The corresponding decree was published by his press service.
"A seven-day national mourning has been declared on February 6, 2023, in connection with the earthquakes that occurred in our country," the document states. It is reported that the mourning will last until February 12, inclusive. During this entire period, national flags will be flown at half-mast across Turkey and at its diplomatic missions abroad.
The earthquake struck southeastern Turkey on the night of February 6, with a magnitude of 7.8. The epicenter of the tremors was near Gaziantep, a city with a population of over one million. According to the latest reports, the natural disaster has led to the deaths of more than 1600 people, with the number of injured exceeding 11,000.