Thousands affected as rescue operations continue following devastating Turkey - Syria earthquake

The earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale, struck in the early hours of Monday morning (6th February) with devastating impact on local communities and rescue efforts still ongoing. President Erdogan has since announced a three-month state of emergency in Turkey’s 10 most affected provinces.

The port of Iskenderun, which handles around 40,000 TEU per month, remains closed until further notice following significant structural damage, as well as impact of the severe fire that broke out as a result of the earthquake and its numerous aftershocks. Container and ocean cargo operations at the port have ceased, with trucking movements in the area having also come to a halt. Shipping lines are re-routing to the port of Mersin or other alternative eastern Mediterranean ports.

Our Turkish partners are in regular contact with us and we continue to support their local efforts, both operationally and in aid of their communities.

Our thoughts are with all those affected.

If you would like to support the relief efforts, please find relevant links below:

• UNICEF
• OXFAM
• CARE

For any urgent questions regarding your Turkey supply chain, please contact us here.