Southern Turkey has just been struck by two more strong earthquakes.
The first new earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude hit on February 20 at 8:04 p.m. local time. Three minutes later, the second earthquake hit, measuring 5.8. These quakes are considered strong enough to be felt by all and are capable of moving heavy furniture and breaking windows.
These are the third and fourth in a series of powerful quakes that have struck the nation since early February.
Two tremors measuring 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck both Turkey and Syria on February 6, prompting a three-month state of emergency being declared in the former, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
These earthquakes caused massive amounts of damage to the infrastructure of multiple cities and relief efforts have been ongoing for weeks.
The death toll has reached over 44,000 people in both countries combined, according to BBC News.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the new earthquakes struck the towns of Defne and Samandağ in the Hatay province. Tremors ranging as high as magnitudes 3.1 to 4.8 continue to be recorded in the area.
The newest seismic event was also felt in Antakya and Adana, approximately 120 miles to the north, according to Barron’s.
No reports of damage to infrastructure or loss of life have been announced as of yet, but officials have urged residents on the coast to keep away from shorelines due to the risk of rising sea levels.
Ata Koşar, a resident in the town of Ekinci in the Hatay province who lost three family members during the first event, had been demonstrating to his family members what to do if another earthquake struck.
“I was laying on the floor, and as I was laying there another earthquake happened,” said Koşar, according to The Guardian. “We heard what sounded like more buildings collapsing again, and more damage to our house.”