Podcast4 people detained over 'provocative' social media posts about earthquakes
Turkey’s General Directorate of Security (EGM) has announced that they detected 90 social media accounts that allegedly shared “provocative” social media posts about the two devastating quakes that shook the southeastern region of the country. Four of them have been detained, the EGM added.
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Turkey's General Directorate of Security (EGM) issued a press release regarding the social media posts about the two major earthquakes striking southeastern Turkey nine hours apart, at magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 respectively.
Accordingly, 90 account users, who is considered to have made provocative posts “to create fear and panic,” were identified, and their names were shared with relevant departments.
Security forces detained four of them upon the public prosecutor's office's instruction, the EGM said.
Deprem sonrasında sosyal medya platformlarında provokatif paylaşımlarda bulunan 90 hesap yöneticisi tespit edildi. 4 şahıs gözaltına alındı. pic.twitter.com/z0CmnB1GpZ
— Türk Polis Teşkilatı (@EmniyetGM) February 7, 2023
Speaking in Şanlıurfa province, Finance and Treasury Minister Nureddin Nebati on Feb. 7 claimed that "everything is under control here other than false news spreading on social media."
However, thousands of people across 10 affected provinces said they need much more help and support on social media.
The initial earthquake at a magnitude of 7.7 struck southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş's Pazarcık district on Feb. 6 at 4:17 a.m. local time.
The second earthquake at a magnitude of 7.6 struck Kahramanmaraş's Elbistan district at 1.24 p.m. local time on the same day.
As of Feb. 7 evening, at least 5,434 people were killed and more than 31,000 people were injured due to quakes, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced.
Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) announced on late Feb. 6 that at least 5,775 buildings collapsed as a result.
As of Feb. 6, 7,840 people have been rescued from under the rubble, AFAD added.
Five million people live in the region affected by the earthquake. The population of the ten affected Turkish provinces exceeds 13 million.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said it was the country's largest disaster since 1939.
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