The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey after a devastating earthquake hit the southern part of the country and northern Syria early yesterday morning.
A 40 second tremor with a 7.8 magnitude on February 6 has killed 3,419, with a further 1,602 people confirmed dead on the Syrian side of the border while 20,534 people have been injured. These figures are expected to rise as several buildings and roads have been destroyed and rescue teams continue frantic search efforts for survivors.
The UK Government is now advising any surviving British people in the Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras or neighbouring regions to make themselves known, as anyone planning to travel to either nations should closely follow the country's travel advice.
An update to the Foreign Office website on Monday read: "A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and neighbouring provinces in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023. On the same day a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the neighboring province of Kahramanmaras.
"There have been several strong after-shocks. If you are in Turkey or planning to travel there you should follow the information and advice from local authorities/your tour operator."
"If you're in the Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras or neighbouring provinces and it is safe to do so, contact your friends and family to tell them you are safe."
Hours after the original quake, south Turkey was hit with a severe aftershock of a 7.5 magnitude, which was reportedly later felt in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan.
Tremors were felt as far as Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt, with Italy having issued a tsunami alert for coastal populations.
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