Twitter was blocked in Turkey after the earthquake, according to Internet-Monitoring Group

Twitter has been blocked on multiple networks inside Turkey, according to NetBlocks, a group that tracks internet outages - removing a key communication channel to coordinate efforts to relief after Monday's devastating earthquake.

Alp Toker, the director of NetBlocks, said Wednesday that the coordinated nature of the block suggested it was likely the result of a governmental order. He said network data indicated the blocking was done with software installed by telecom providers that can prevent specific websites and services from loading.

NetBlocks later said Thursday morning that network activity appeared to show access to Twitter had been restored.

Turkey is used to impose social media restrictions during major emergencies and security incidents.

In October, Turkey's parliament passed sweeping legislation in an effort to crack down on misinformation. As part of the measure, social media companies must remove content and provide confidential information to authorities if requested. Businesses that don't comply could face slower service speeds in Turkey.

Asked about reports of Twitter access issues, the Vice President Fuat Oktay attributed the difficulties to "a few technical issues" during a press conference on relief efforts.

Twitter and government officials Turks later met, Anadolu News Agency, the state press service, reported. Omer Fatih Sayan, Turkey's deputy transport and infrastructure minister, reminded senior Twitter officials of "Twitter's responsibility in fighting misinformation," Anadolu reported.

Gulsin Harman contributed reporting.