After the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Pazarcik district of the city of Kahramanmaras in Turkiye and caused great destruction in the surrounding provinces, information about the collapse of dams in that region is spreading on social media.

For example, the "Haqqin Sesi24" telegram channel, known for its closeness to Iran, wrote in this regard: "It seems that the Atatürk Dam in the southeast of Turkiye is in a critical condition after two devastating earthquakes of 7.5 and 7.8 magnitudes." Reports from Turkiye show that many cracks have appeared in the dam after strong earthquakes. Experts have warned that the dam could collapse at any moment, resulting in a tragedy that could affect an area of 30 square kilometers near the dam. Atatürk Dam is one of the main dams of the GAP (Southeast Anatolia Project) project and is the 4th largest dam in the world in terms of construction volume. Currently, the GAP project includes 13 dams, 7 of which are built on the Euphrates River and 6 on the Tigris River.

Look at the reaction of followers (trolls) to such sad news of a telegram channel controlled from Tehran.

In addition, some people in Turkiye and Iraq shared a video on social networks showing the emptying of the dam and wrote that cracks have appeared in the Atatürk Dam due to ongoing earthquakes. In this screenshot, pay attention to the time of sending the tweet.

Faktyoxla Lab. has investigated how true these claims are.

In the course of our investigations, it was found out that in the information spread by various accounts on social networks, claims were made that "Dams in the region should be checked urgently. There are reports that cracks have formed in Atatürk Dam." Although it seems that the said claims have attracted the attention of social media users, it is also clear that no official source is included in the posts. Another claim is related to the formation of large cracks in the Birecik dam.

Interestingly, experts do not accept these thoughts at all. Dr. Bulent Ozmen, an earthquake expert and a member of the Association of Geological Engineers, who evaluated the claims spread on social media about the possibility of the Atatürk Dam collapsing due to earthquakes, refuted these claims and said that it is not true to imagine that the dams that survived the two major earthquakes in the country will be affected by the aftershocks. (source)

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay made a similar statement. In his statements, he noted that the dams in the earthquake regions were checked immediately after the natural disaster. Oktay in his latest statement from the AFAD Center on February 7, 2023 at 00:36, "The whole region has been inspected and reviewed regarding all our dams. We have no problems. We have only one dam, Malatya Sultansuyu. Since it is opening, only due to the risk, we will gradually start draining the water as a precaution. If our citizens living nearby witness this, this is just a precautionary measure, we are draining the water gradually so that there is no risk of discharge," he said (source).

Also, Sanli Urfa mayor's office and Birecik district representative denied the allegations regarding the Birecik dam. Sanli Urfa city mayor's office said that it is of great importance for the citizens not to believe the baseless information that is knowingly or unknowingly shared in various mass media, especially social media, and to follow official sources for correct information. (source) Further, the mayor's office informed the city residents that the situation at the Birecik dam is under control. (source)

The Birecik district representative, in turn, noted that what was said about the Birecik dam was just a rumor and there was no need for the population to panic. In the appeal, it was also emphasized that all state institutions are working diligently. (source)

It is interesting that along with Iranian social media users, Greek media also circulated this false claim. The article published in the English version of the rua.gr website contains the following claims: "There are reports from Turkiye that there are many cracks in the Atatürk Dam after strong earthquakes." The surrounding areas have already been evacuated. Experts have warned that the dam could break at any moment, causing destruction in an area of 30 square kilometers near the dam. They even shared this news with reference to Turkish seismology professor Doctor Naci Gorur: "I appeal to interested parties: check dams in the region" (link)

Conclusion:

- Claims that "Atatürk" and other dams located in the earthquake affected areas were damaged by the earthquake are completely unfounded.

- Official institutions denied these allegations,

- The posts of some social media users about this are purely provocative.