This Video Does Not Show a Fireball in Hatay Before the Earthquake
The Claim
A video shows a fireball in the Hatay sky minutes before the earthquake hit Turkey.
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Social media users circulated a video purporting to show a fireball in the Hatay sky minutes before the latest massive earthquake struck Turkey on February 20.
The video’s publishers questioned the possible artificial origins of the earthquake due to the fireball seen in the video.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
Contrary to the viral claim, the video was not shot in Hatay, Turkey, ahead of the earthquake.
The Fireball Video Was Shot in France
USA Today’s official YouTube account uploaded the same video on February 14, 2022.
The video was published under the title, "Asteroid 2023 CX1 glows as 'beautiful' fireball over Europe | USA TODAY."
According to the video’s description, the footage shows asteroid 2023 CX1 just hours before the meteor was seen burning across the sky over France.
Asteroid 2023 CX1 Glows Over Europe
In February 2023, an asteroid headed towards Earth exploded into a dazzling fireball that was visible across Europe.
According to a press release from the European Space Agency, astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky discovered an asteroid at the Piszkéstet Observatory in Hungary around 12:18 p.m. ET on Sunday that was first known as Sar2667.
Minutes later, a second observation was made, and it was reported to the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union.
2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquakes
Early on February 6, a severe 7.8-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in the Pazarck district of the Kahramanmaras province struck Southern Turkey.
Along with Anlurfa, Diyarbakr, Adana, and Hatay, the earthquake also had an impact on the surrounding provinces of Adyaman, Kilis, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, and Malatya.
Within nine hours, a second significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck the area, causing further serious damage and the destruction of damaged buildings.
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in the Defne district rocked Hatay on the evening of February 20.
Moreover, a 5.8 magnitude aftershock struck Malatya province on February 27.
According to the most recent data from both countries, the death toll from the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria earlier this month has surpassed 50,000.
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