Turkish news agency Anadolu reported that a truck crossed opposite lanes after a driver lost control of the steering wheel on Saturday night and collided with nine cars and two minibuses.
Several vehicles were parked on the side of the road near a gas station, where friends and relatives accompanied young men leaving for compulsory military service.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said fires broke out on the Iskenderun-Antakya highway.
The minister posted a tweet announcing that 22 ambulances and 3 medical rescue teams had been dispatched to the scene of the accident in Topogazli.
He wrote on Twitter: “May God have mercy on our fellow citizens who lost their lives and send my condolences to their loved ones. We will do everything we can to restore the injured to their health as quickly as possible.”
Hatay was one of the worst-hit Turkish states among the 11 Turkish states affected by the February 6 earthquake, which devastated parts of Turkey and Syria. According to the government, at least 50,783 people have died in Türkiye.
Private Turkish news agency Demiroren said the truck was carrying debris from the earthquake and collided with another truck before crossing the highway around 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).
Anadolu reported that the witness, Ali Sarraq, said some of the dead were burned alive.
Footage showed cars on fire, as emergency crews tried to pull people from the blaze.
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