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Turkey earthquake: Pictures of 'destroyed' 2000-year-old Gaziantep castle emerge, death toll reaches 900

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake has apparently collapsed some of the bastions in the east, south, and southeast parts of the medieval castle

KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKEY: On Monday, February 6, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit central Turkey and northwest Syria, killing at least 912 while injuring 5,385 people as buildings collapsed throughout the region. The earthquake, which occurred in the early hours of a winter morning, was felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.

The authorities started the rescue operation to help and relocate the affected people in the region, while the number of casualties is increasing every hour. Meanwhile, along with all the properties that were destroyed, Gaziantep castle, a historic site and tourist attraction in southeastern Turkey, has also been badly damaged.

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Heartbreaking pictures emerge

Several on social media have shared the aftermath of the destruction as many dubbed the event a tragedy. One person posted the before and after photo of the historic Gaziantep castle that was completely destroyed in the earthquake. “Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria, causing heavy casualties and damage. Also, heartbreaking to see the Gaziantep Castle destroyed! May those who lost their lives RIP,” another user wrote on Twitter. 

Someone wrote, “In Gaziantep (Aintab), where my paternal family is originally from, the ancient castle of the city is now destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake. Nothing is compared to human loss but this image is so heartbreaking.” “What a horrendous day. The horrible Syria and Turkey Earthquake killed many, but it also destroyed priceless cultural heritage, such as the famed #Gaziantep Castle, built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, when the place was known as Antiochia ad Taurum,” another remarked. 

The Gaziantep castle's history

The castle began as a watchtower during the Roman Empire in the second and third centuries CE and gradually expanded, according to Turkish Museums, the official site of museums and archaeological sites in the country. It gained its current form during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565 CE).

The earthquake collapsed some of the bastions in the east, south, and southeast parts of the medieval Gaziantep castle in the central Whidbey region, and the rubble was spread across the road, according to the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu. The iron railings that surrounded the castle were strewn on the adjacent sidewalks. The retaining wall adjacent to the castle also gave way. Large cracks were discovered in some bastions. The dome and eastern wall of the old Irvani Mosque, which is located next to the castle and was constructed in the 17th century, also partially collapsed.

According to recent updates from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), another 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey on the same day, February 6 evening. The exact casualties from the second earthquake are yet to be revealed.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.