Earthquake damages archaeological sites in Syria

(CNN) — Several archaeological sites in Syria have been damaged after a powerful earthquake shook the region on Monday morning, according to the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM).

The 13th-century Citadel of Aleppo suffered “slight to moderate damage, including the collapse of parts of the Ottoman mill, (there were) cracks and collapse of parts of the northeast defensive fence. Large parts of the dome of the Ayubi Mosque’s lighthouse, the The entrance gate and some stone parts of the palace were damaged, including the entrance to the royal defense tower and the facade of the Ottoman refuge, the DGAM said in a Facebook post.

Damage to the Citadel of Aleppo after the earthquake. (Credits: – / AFP via Getty Images)

Damage to the Citadel of Aleppo after the earthquake. (Credits: – / AFP via Getty Images)

The ancient Syrian city of Aleppo, in the country’s northwest, was badly damaged in the ongoing civil war, but reopened in 2018 after reconstruction works. The DGAM says that this Monday’s earthquake damaged the artifacts inside the Aleppo National Museum. ,

Syrian rescuers search for victims and survivors among the rubble of a collapsed building in the city of Aleppo. (Credit: Louie Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)

The DGAM reported damage to historic buildings and mosques in Syria’s west-central Hama Governorate, including structure cracks and collapsed walls at the Imam Ismail Mosque and Shammeis Castle.

Al-Marqab Castle, a Crusader stronghold near Baniyas in northwestern Syria, also suffered damage, including the collapse of one of its round towers. “The earthquake occurred due to rock fall in the area around the Qadaus palace and some residential buildings located in the palace grounds,” the DGAM said.

Experts are still studying the full extent of damage to the historic site and surrounding historic buildings and neighborhoods. The DGAM confirms that it has not received “accurate information” about damage in the city of Homs.