Is it true that some Western countries evacuated their ambassadors from Turkey 24 hours before the earthquake?

In social networks, the version was widely dispersed, according to which the authorities of Western countries knew about the upcoming earthquake in Turkey and therefore evacuated their diplomats. We decided to check if this version of reality corresponds.

The version of the non -accidental evacuation of Western embassies from Turkey began to spread after recording in Twitter well -known supporter of conspiracy theories David Wolf. Its recording was viewed more than 2 million times, more than 8,000 people shared tweet. In Russian social networks, this theory has not become viral, but its traces are in "VKontakte". Much more dispersed adjacent version About an earthquake provoked by American tectonic weapons.

In the tweet of David Wolfe, countries that responded to the ambassadors 24 hours before the earthquake are listed: Canada, USA, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, France. “Nothing suspicious,” Wolf notes sarcastically.

The earthquake of magnitude 7.8 occurred at night from February 5 to 6 in the southeast of Turkey and in the north of Syria. In Turkey Died almost 46,000 people, in Syria - Almost 9000. The earthquake occurred in a seismic area at the junction of three tectonic plates. Scientists quickly responded to the theory of conspiracy about the intentional external impact on nature and categorically Rejected their.

AFP fact asked Comments on all embassies mentioned in conspiracy therapy. Six of them (except the United States and Great Britain) received answers: the ambassadors during the earthquake were in the capital of Turkey - Ankara. In addition, some diplomats shortly before the tragedy appeared at official events. France Ambassador Erve Magro Meet with representatives of the Society of Turkish-French Friendship, and the Ambassador of the Netherlands Yop Weinands -With former Turkish Prime Minister Akhmet Davutoglu.

Due to the fact that the United States and Great Britain did not respond to a request, AFP I had to independently establish the "alibi" ambassadors of these two countries. February 6, a few hours after the earthquake (at a time when the underground shocks still continued), the US Ambassador Jeff Flake published in Instagram Photo of a flagpole with a flag of an affected flag in the courtyard of American diplomatic mission. The photo was taken in Ankara, published there.

And the next day, the US Ambassador to Turkey from his Skype office went to Ether CNN.

British Ambassador Jill Morris wrote On Twitter about the earthquake early on the morning of February 6, on the day of the tragedy. She was not so active in social networks, but on February 13 appeared Her photo, where the ambassador is collecting humanitarian aid for the victims.

Apparently, the conspiracy theory is associated with a completely different event, namely, the closure of several consulates in Istanbul. On February 2, ambassadors of nine countries (USA, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy) called In the Turkish Foreign Ministry in connection with the temporary closure of the consulates of these states. The decision on the temporary closure of the country's diplomatic departments was explained by the high risk of a terrorist threat. And the threat was associated with a possible response to burning Koran in Sweden. Türkiye saw political blackmail in the closure of consulates: so, in any case, He said President of the Republic Receps Erdogan.

Thus, in the theory of a conspiracy that connects the evacuation of embassies and an earthquake, many inconsistencies. Firstly, not embassies, but consulates were closed. Secondly, nine diplomatic people closed, and it is not clear why the author of the scandalous tweet forgot about Sweden and Switzerland, adding Canada. Thirdly, Istanbul, where the consulates are located, is much further from the earthquake zone than Ankara, where the ambassadors continued to work. Finally, there is evidence that the ambassadors of the United States and Great Britain remained in Turkey. But there are no arguments confirming the evacuation.

Photo on the cover: social networks

Not true

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. AFP. AMBASSADORS EVACUATED FROM TURKEY Before Quake?
2. Is there a tectonic weapon that can cause earthquake?
3. Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: check 8 photos and videos