On February 6, 2023, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck southern Türkiye in the early hours of the morning local time, and a second major quake also measuring 7.8 struck the same area at 1:24 p.m. Cities in southern Türkiye, and northern Syria has been hit hard.

On February 9, CGTN Stringer Neyran Elden visited the old town of Antakya, Hatay province, home of historical buildings, including the site of the ancient city of Antioch, founded at the end of the fourth century B.C. As Elden shows, multiple ancient architectures, including the old parliament building, Ulu mosque, and churches, had been damaged or collapsed, some reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, rescue teams from all over the world are working hard in Antakya, looking for survivors.