UNESCO: Several World Heritage sites damaged or destroyed in quakes

By AP 7 February 2023, 2:36 pm

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In this Saturday, July 27, 2019 photo, a woman walks in front of the ancient Citadel with a giant picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad, in Aleppo, Syria. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The United Nations’ cultural agency says it has undertaken a preliminary survey of damage to heritage sites in the earthquake-hit areas, with an aim to help rapidly secure and stabilize them.

The Paris-based UNESCO is “particularly concerned about the situation in the ancient city of Aleppo” in Syria, which is on the list of endangered World Heritage.

“Significant damage has been noted in the citadel. The western tower of the old city wall has collapsed and several buildings in the souks have been weakened,” the statement says.

In Turkey, UNESCO said it was saddened by the news of the collapse of several buildings at the Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens, a World Heritage site that goes back to ancient Greek and Roman times.