On February 6, 2023, at 4:17 a.m. local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey near the Syrian border, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
The quake struck at a depth of 11 miles (17.9 km) near Nurdağı in Gaziantep province. This earthquake is considered to be one of the most significant natural disasters to hit the region in recent times.
With the rise of fake news and AI- generated images, it is more important than ever to verify information before sharing it during natural disasters such as the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake.
In this article, we will explore some examples of misinformation surrounding the Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023.
Misleading Image of a Greek Rescuer Holding a Turkish Child
A popular image that was circulating on social media after the Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023 depicted a Greek rescuer holding a Turkish child. The image was meant to evoke feelings of compassion and hope, and it was shared widely on social media.
Misbar’s team found that the image was generated by artificial intelligence.
Media outlets later reported that the AI-generated image was used to scam people after the Turkey-Syria earthquake.
Photos and Videos of Dogs Participating in the Rescue Search
Another example of misinformation surrounding the Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023 was a claim purporting to show animals participating in the rescue search after the earthquake.
Misbar's investigation revealed that the photos and videos were unrelated to the 2023 Tukey-Syria earthquake.
Misleading Claims of Tsunamis Hitting the Turkish Coastline
In the aftermath of the earthquake, social media users circulated several video clips claiming to show tsunamis hitting the Turkish coastline.
However, Misbar's investigation found that all of these claims were misleading. The videos were outdated and showed either the 2018 Indonesia tsunami or the 2011 Japan tsunami.
Nuclear Blasts After the Turkey-Syria Earthquake
Viral videos on social media were alleged to show a nuclear plant explosion in Turkey due to the earthquake.
After conducting a thorough investigation, Misbar's team determined that the videos were outdated and showed the explosion that occurred in Beirut port in 2020 and the Tianjin explosion in China in 2015.
Impact of the Earthquakes on Turkey and Syria
The earthquake hit at least 10 Turkish provinces, including Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Malatya, and Sanliurfa.
The city of Gaziantep has the highest number of buildings demolished – nearly 12,000, followed by 10,911 in Hatay ,and 10,777 in Kahramanmaras, according to a report by Turkey’s Ministry of Environment.
According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), there were 3,858 aftershocks following the earthquake, which have added to the damage.
The cities of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Idlib were badly hit by the earthquake, with buildings damaged and many reported to have collapsed.
The earthquake has caused widespread damage, including collapsed buildings, and power outages. It has also disrupted communication and transportation networks in the affected regions.
Death Toll of the Turkey-Syria Earthquake
As of the latest reports, the death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria is now more than 41,000. The figures are expected to rise in the coming days as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
Misbar’s Sources:
