Earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.4 and 5.8 that occurred in the Defne and Samandag districts of Hatay yesterday evening shook the Middle East and North Africa. The earthquake was felt in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. In Lebanon, which is one of the countries where the earthquake was felt the most, people took to the streets and gathered in empty spaces. After the earthquake, it was observed that in many neighborhoods of the capital Beirut, people left their homes and took to the streets.
PEOPLE SPREAD ON THE STREETS IN BEIRUT
Especially in the Tarik el-Cedid and Dahiye neighborhoods, where the old settlements are concentrated in the city, the people who filled the streets started to gather in the empty spaces nearby. Thousands of people gathered in Horş Park in Kas Kas District.
Speaking to AA correspondent in the park where he came with his family, Nadir Acin said that they were worried about the shaking, that the children were afraid and went out into the street.
Acin stated that almost all of the residents of Tarik el-Cedid Neighborhood have taken to the streets.
Another resident of the region said that they took their child and dog and went out to the street with anxiety after the earthquake.
The municipality opened a football field in Tarik el-Cedid Neighborhood for people to gather.
BEIRUT RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED
Syrian Ziyad, a resident of the Shatila Refugee Camp in the south of Beirut, said that a severe earthquake occurred while he was at home with his family, and that he and his wife took their children and went out quickly.
Ziyad stated that they were worried that all the houses would be destroyed in a major earthquake.
In many parts of Beirut, people trying to go to empty spaces with their cars also caused traffic jams.
IN OTHER CITIES OF LEBANON, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING ON THE STREETS
According to Lebanese media, people took to the streets in Tripoli, which is located in the north of the country, closer to the epicenter of the earthquake, Hatay.
In the city where many old buildings are located, citizens gathered at the Reşid Kerame Fairground.
It has been recorded that citizens in the cities of Akkar, Sayda and Sur, as well as Tripoli and Beirut on the coastline, leave their homes and wait in their cars. Also, stadiums were opened for public gathering.
It was stated that the earthquake did not cause any loss of life or damage in Lebanon.
ALL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY WERE HOLIDAY
Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Abbas al-Halebi made a written statement on the condition of the schools after the earthquake.
Minister Halebi announced that all schools and universities across the country were suspended for one day due to the earthquake.
(AA)