Before and after: Satellite images show damage wrought by quakes on Turkish towns
By Nell Geraets and Mark Stehle
As emergency services and volunteers frantically attempt to save survivors trapped in the rubble, aerial footage has captured the extensive damage caused by the worst earthquake disaster to hit Turkey and Syria in almost a century.
The Turkish towns of Islahiye and Nurdagi are dealing with some of the most severe damage across the region, with entire streets reduced to ruins.
Through satellite images obtained by space technology company Maxar, The Age has created eight interactive images that show the extent of the destruction caused by the two main earthquakes that jolted the small townships.
Islahiye
Located in the province of Gaziantep in south-east Turkey, Islahiye connects by rail with Syria and is near the ancient settlement of Nicopolos.
Before the earthquakes, downtown Islahiye – near Ataturk Blv – was a vibrant area filled with residential buildings and parks. Now, many of the buildings have completely collapsed.
Dozens of large multi-storey buildings in the city’s centre – just west of the Hacı Ali Ozturk mosque – have fallen.
A close-up view of the buildings in the downtown area reveals entire roofs have detached from collapsed building structures, creating the impression that the town’s axis has shifted. Rubble litters the streets and earth-moving equipment can be seen attempting to remove large pieces of debris.
Nurdagi
Surrounded by hills and just shy of 800 square kilometres, Nurdagi is a small township north of Islahiye.
The area near Gaziantep and Osmaniye Yolu road is now only recognisable by its distinct grassy roundabout. Many of the surrounding buildings have been destroyed, and the winding roads have become congested with vehicles carrying out rescue operations.
Entire blocks of buildings, including some that are several storeys high, have fallen to the ground, the rubble spilling onto the roads.
A large park, known as the “great garden” – which once stood out for its distinct geometric layout and immaculate lawn – is now filled with white tents, as search teams have taken over as they attempt to rescue survivors in the surrounding areas.
Rescue operations have also set up sites in the fields surrounding Nurdagi’s west, taking advantage of the space available.
The local stadium – the Nurdagı Ilce Stadyumu – is now surrounded by debris.
Other Turkish and Syrian cities have also been significantly impacted, including Kahramanmaras and Aleppo, amid fears the death toll from the quakes could soon exceed 20,000 people.
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