Turkey and Syria: ‘Death toll likely to rise quickly’ as two huge earthquakes kill 2,300 – latest updates
Two massive earthquakes are reported to have killed more than 2,300 people and wounded many thousands more in Turkey and Syria – with experts warning the death toll was likely to rise sharply.
The magnitude 7.9 tremor struck overnight near the city of Gaziantep, and was felt nearly 1,000km away in Cairo, leaving a huge trail of destruction in Turkey and Syria, where many remained trapped below rubble as a second 7.5 magnitute earthquake then hit just hours later.
Authorities said 1,489 people were killed in 10 Turkish provinces, with more than 430 people declared dead in Syria and at least 380 in the country’s rebel-held northwest.
Natural hazards expert Dr Steven Godby warned that the vulnerability of the population and winter snow could make rescue efforts more difficult, saying: “Unfortunately the death toll is likely to climb quickly.”
“The first 24-48 hours is when most people are normally rescued in this situations, but the cold weather may reduce that time. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that there are already large numbers of displaced people in northern Syria as a result of the civil war.”
Key Points
Strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Turkey on Monday morning
Second powerful earthquake rocks Turkey after morning devastation
Turkey death toll rises to over 1,000
At least 326 people were killed in Syria and more than 1000 people injured
Situation in Syria 'disastrous' with many trapped in rubble, officials say
Experts fear death toll can significantly increase amid harsh winter conditions
12:50 , Stuti Mishra
As rescuers continue to dig through mountains of debris, experts are raising alarms over the harsh conditions and severity of the earthquake that can increase the death toll further from the current 1300.
Dr Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University, has warned that the vulnerability of the population and winter snow can make rescue efforts more difficult and drive up the death toll.
“Unfortunately the death toll is likely to climb quickly,” Mr Godby said. “A similar magnitude earthquake that hit Izmit in Turkey in 1999 killed more than 17,000 people and left more than a quarter of a million homeless.”
“Early images show the pancake collapse of several buildings in the affected area and these are associated with significant loss of life - typically 30% of those in these kinds of collapse lose their lives.”
“The earthquake struck early in the morning when people will have been asleep at home and the weather is very cold meaning those trapped in rubble face the threat from low temperatures.”
“The first 24-48 hours is when most people are normally rescued in this situations, but the cold weather may reduce that time. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that there are already large numbers of displaced people in northern Syria as a result of the civil war.”
Moment child and parents pulled alive from rubble after Syria earthquake
16:24 , Andy Gregory
Bel Trew | This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria
16:16 , Andy Gregory
Our international correspondent Bel Trew reports:
At 4.17am, Ismail Abdalla says “doomsday” came to his building in Idlib northwest Syria, violently tearing everyone awake.
The Syrian first responder grabbed his one-month-old baby. With just seconds to spare, he dived for cover as part of the roof caved in on top of his bed where they had been sleeping.
Next door was not so fortunate. The neighbouring apartment block collapsed, killing 15 members of an internally-displaced family who had already fled multiple frontlines. Around Abdalla – buildings in the opposition-held area that have been battered by more than a decade of civil war – crumbled one by one.
“It was like someone was shaking all the apartments, it was like doomsday. The roof was waving, it was seconds of terror,” says the 36-year-old father-of-three who volunteers with the Syria Civil Defence organisation, known colloquially as the White Helmets. He is now working to free the injured and dead.
“Entire families are trapped under the rubble, until now we are trying to save people. But the situation is bigger than the White Helmets. It is bigger than any non-governmental organisation, this needs a state-level response to handle it. “
“I’m talking about whole villages, whole areas of cities, destroyed.”
This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria
Aerial footage captures earthquake damage in Syria's Idlib
15:51 , Andy Gregory
‘It is a catastrophe’: Earthquake leaves trail of destruction across Turkey and Syria
15:31 , Andy Gregory
“It is a catastrophe,” Abdel Kafe al Hamdou, a Syrian activist and scholar in northern Syria, told The Independent, describing scenes in the vicinity of Atareb.
“Dozens of people are still under the rubble. Dozens of people are dead. Unfortunately, everything happened at once in an area that didn’t have any equipment. People are working with their bare hands trying to save their relatives. People are really paralysed, and don’t know what to do.”
Our international correspondent Borzou Daragahi has more in this report:
Deadly earthquake leaves vast trail of destruction in Turkey and Syria
Where exactly did the earthquakes strike?
15:14 , Andy Gregory
At least 2,300 killed and thousands more injured
15:04 , Andy Gregory
At least 2,300 people are said to have been killed and many more thousands injured, according to the Associated Press.
Nearly 1,500 people were killed in 10 Turkish provinces, with some 8,500 injured, the country's disaster management agency said.
The Syrian health ministry said more than 430 people had died in government-held areas, with some 1,280 injured. In Syria’s rebel-held northwest, groups that operate there said the death toll was at least 380, with many hundreds more injured.
Video: Chandelier swings as powerful earthquake rocks Turkey and Syria
14:30 , Stuti Mishra
A timeline of world’s strongest earthquakes over the last 20 years
14:10 , Stuti Mishra
In the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has struck Turkey and northwest Syria, killing hundreds of people across both nations, here are some the largest earthquakes from around the world during the past two decades.
A timeline of world’s strongest earthquakes over the last 20 years
Deadly earthquake exacerbates suffering of displaced Syrians
13:50 , Stuti Mishra
“The powerful 7.8 magnitude quake that struck before dawn on Monday wreaked new damage and suffering in Syria’s last rebel-held enclave, already wrecked by years of fighting and bombardment and housing millions of displaced Syrians who had fled their homes during the country’s civil war.
Hospitals and clinics are flooded with injured. In the enclave, centred in Idlib province, many of the displaced live in dire conditions in makeshift camps. Many others there and in neighboring government-held areas are housed in buildings weakened by past bombings and left even more vulnerable to shocks from earthquakes.”Read the full report:
Deadly earthquake exacerbates suffering of displaced Syrians
Moment building collapses as 7.8-magnitude earthquake hits Turkey and Syria
13:30 , Stuti Mishra
'Crisis within multiple crises': Rights group raises concerns for vulnerable Syrians after earthquake devastation
13:10 , Stuti Mishra
The Internationa Rescue Committee says its “deeply concerned” about the impact of this morning’s devastating earthquake on the vulnerable communities in Turkey and Syria.
In a statement, the organisation said with rising casualty figures, there are “very real concerns about the ability of an already decimated health system to cope inside Syria.”
“This earthquake is yet another devastating blow to so many vulnerable populations already struggling after years of conflict. It is a crisis within multiple crises - temperatures are plummeting to below zero leaving thousands exposed,” said Tanya Evans, Syria Country Director for IRC.
“Women and children will find themselves particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse should they find themselves once again displaced.”
“Many in northwest Syria have been displaced up to 20 times and with health facilities strained beyond capacity, even before this tragedy many did not have access to the health care they critically need.”
Footballer Christian Atsu trapped ‘under rubble’ after Turkey earthquake
13:00 , Stuti Mishra
Footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped after an earthquake in Turkey.
Atsu, 31, a former Chelsea and Newcastle winger, joined Hatayspor last summer, and the club’s sporting director Taner Savut is also thought to be trapped.
Follow our live blog here for the latest.
China willing to offer humanitarian aid to Turkey, Syria
12:30 , Stuti Mishra
China is willing to provide humanitarian emergency aid to earthquake-struck Turkey and Syria, a spokesperson from China International Development Cooperation Agency has said.
China expressed condolences and concern for the loss of life and property, and is in communications with both Turkey and Syria.
Turkey death toll rises to over 1,000
12:17 , Stuti Mishra
The death toll in Turkey has been updated to 1,014, the country’s disaster agency head has said.
Earlier Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 5,000 people were confirmed injured following the devastating earthquake this morning, believed to be the country’s largest disaster since 1939.
Mr Erdogan said adding that 2,818 buildings collapsed as a result of the 7.8 magnitude quake.
The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has crossed 1,500 with rescuers continuing to dig through debris amid harsh winters.
Death toll in opposition-controlled areas in Syria rises to at least 221
11:42 , Stuti Mishra
The White Helmets, a civil defence group that operates in opposition-controlled areas in Syria, has updated the death toll to 221, adding that at least 419 people are confirmed to be injured.
The agency said they are facing “difficulty in rescue efforts as hundreds remain trapped under rubble & heavy equipment needed.”
“Number expected to rise as hundreds of families still trapped,” it said in a tweet, sharing graphic images of dead bodies wrapped in sheets.
Photos show devastating scenes as rescuers dig through snow and rubble to find victims
11:30 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey shuts down southern airport
11:23 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey’s southern Adana airport has been closed for flights until further notice, Demiroren news agency has reported.
The devastating earthquake has left a trail of destruction in seven southern provinces in Italy as well as northern areas of Syria with 1,300 people confirmed dead so far.
Breaking: Second powerful earthquake rocks Turkey
11:02 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey has been hit with a second earthquake measuring more than 7 magnitude, according to measurements from the US Geological Survey.
The tremor, measuring 7.5 magnitude was picked up about four kilometres outside Ekinozu, which is around 100 miles north of Gaziantep, close to where the first earthquake hit.
More details here:
Second powerful earthquake rocks Turkey hours after morning devastation
President Erdogan says 45 countries promised help, here's a roundup of who has offered what so far
10:51 , Stuti Mishra
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that 45 countries have so far offered to send help and aid as the country witnesses a death toll of almost 1,000 in the aftermath of the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
Here's a round-up of some of the detailed offers of assistance that have been made to Turkey and Syria so far today, which include:
India’s government said two teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and equipment were ready to be flown to the disaster area. Medical teams were being readied and relief material was being sent in coordination with the Turkish authorities.
Poland will send a rescue group consisting of 76 firemen and eight dogs.
The European Union said it had activated its emergency Copernicus satellite mapping service to help first responders working on the ground.
Russia’s emergencies ministry said it had two IL-76 aircraft with 100 rescuers were ready to fly out to Turkey if required.
Urban rescue teams from Spain are preparing to travel to Turkey, the interior ministry said.
Taiwan’s fire department said it had a team of 130 people, along with five search dogs and 13 tonnes of aid, ready to go to Turkey, and was awaiting a response.
New Syria death toll
10:29 , Chris Stevenson
At least 326 people were killed in Syria and more than 1000 people injured following a major earthquake in neighbouring Turkey, state news agency (SANA) quoted a senior health official as saying.
"The number of casualties from the earthquake rose to 326 dead and 1,042 injured," Ahmed Damiriyya, an aide to the Syrian health minister, said.
The toll reported by state media is thought to include only those living in government-held areas.
New death toll in Turkey
10:25 , Chris Stevenson
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the death toll in the country has reached at least 912, with 5,000 injured.
Mr Erdogan said it was the country's largest disaster since 1939, adding that 2,818 buildings collapsed as a result
Putin says Russia ready to help Syria and Turkey
10:09 , Chris Stevenson
Russian president Vladimir Putin offered Russian assistance on Monday to Syria and Turkey after a major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 killed more than 500 people and injured thousands in the two countries.
Russia, which is closely allied with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, maintains a significant military presence in that country.
Mr Putin also has a strong rapport with President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, a NATO member which has nevertheless sought to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Please accept my deep condolences on the numerous human casualties and large-scale destruction caused by a powerful earthquake in your country,” Mr Putin said in his message to Mr Erdogan.
“We are ready to provide the necessary assistance in this regard.”
Separately, Mr Putin told Mr Assad that Russia shared “the sadness and pain of those who lost their loved ones” and said Russia was ready to provide help.
Earlier, Russia’s defence ministry said its military facilities in Syria had not been damaged by the earthquake. (see post below)
At least 147 dead in Syria's opposition controlled areas as rescuers urge international help
09:55 , Chris Stevenson
An opposition emergency organisation in Syria called The White Helmets said on Twitter that 147 people had died and more than 340 were injured in Syria in areas where it operates because of the earthquake that struck Turkey.
“The toll may increase as many families are still trapped,” it wrote. “Our teams are on the ground searching for survivors and removing the dead from the rubble.”
The #earthquake in NW #Syria has claimed 147 lives & injured over 340. The toll may increase as many families are still trapped. Our teams are on the ground searching for survivors & removing the dead from the rubble. pic.twitter.com/vQhYZAiGRM
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 6, 2023
In a video shared by the organisation, a rescuer can be heard urging for help as he says the death toll can rise to thousands.
“It’s a very difficult test for us, we need help,” he says. “We need international community to do something.”
NW #Syria in a state of catastrophe after 7.8 magnitude #earthquake. Destruction, devastation, and collapse of buildings. Hundreds of injuries, dozens of deaths, many trapped under the rubble or stranded in the winter cold. We call on the international community to take action. pic.twitter.com/rtzqRJa8IP
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) February 6, 2023
Akkuyu nuclear power plant
09:49 , Chris Stevenson
Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction, was not damaged by the earthquake, an official from the Russian company building the plant has said.
“Earth tremors of about magnitude 3 were felt here … but our specialists have not revealed any damage to building structures, cranes and equipment,” Anastasia Zoteeva from Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom, told Reuters.
Turkish military sets up air aid corridor to reach earthquake zone
09:40 , Stuti Mishra
The Turkish armed forces have set up an air corridor to enable search and rescue teams to reach the zone affected by the major earthquake in southern Turkey, the country’s defence ministry has said.
“We mobilised our planes to send medical teams, search and rescue teams and their vehicles to the earthquake zone,” the statement cited defence minister Hulusi Akar as saying.
More than 600 now confirmed dead
09:28 , Stuti Mishra
More than 600 people have been confirmed dead as officials continue to update the tally after the devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria this morning.
With hundreds injured, the death toll of 641 is expected to rise as rescue workers search through rubble in cities and towns across the area.
Turkey's Iskenderun port damaged, says maritime authority
09:20 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey’s maritime authority said today that the Iskenderun port located in the southern Turkish province of Hatay is damaged due to the major earthquake.
Following its damage inspections, the authority said on Twitter that operations continue in ports besides Iskenderun.
No damage to Akkuyu nuclear power plant, says Russian news agency
09:11 , Stuti Mishra
No damage has been reported to the under-construction Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey, RIA has reported quoting Rosatom.
Earlier checks were being carried out at the construction site.
'UK stands ready to help,' says Rishi Sunak
08:59 , Stuti Mishra
The British prime minister Rishi Sunak has said that the UK is ready to offer assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake that has killed over 500 people in Turkey and Syria.
"My thoughts are with the people of Turkey and Syria this morning, particularly with those first responders working so valiantly to save those trapped by the earthquake" he tweeted.
"The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can."
My thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria this morning, particularly with those first responders working so valiantly to save those trapped by the earthquake.
The UK stands ready to help in whatever way we can.— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 6, 2023
More pictures show rescuers scrambling through mountains debris
08:46 , Stuti Mishra
Map of Turkey shows where massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck
08:23 , Stuti Mishra
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey at 4.17am local time on Monday in the southeastern area near the Syrian border, according to the US Geological Survey.
The map shows the epicentre of the quake was near the city of Gaziantep at a depth of 17.9km, impacting around seven provinces in Turkey and a large area in northern Syria.
More details:
Map of Turkey shows where massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck
Turkey issues state-wise figures for deaths reported so far
07:59 , Stuti Mishra
Announcing that the death toll has risen to 284 from the earthquake, the country's vice president Fuat Oktay has issued state-wise figures speaking at a news conference a while ago.
Mr Oktay said 70 people were killed in the province of Kahramanmaras, where the quake epicentre was located, along with 20 people in Osmaniye, 18 in Sanliurfa, 14 in Diyarbakir and 13 in Adiyaman.
Officials were in the process of identifying more victims as rescuers continue to scramble through mountains of debris in seven impacted provinces.
The earthquake has left 2,323 people injured with the death toll feared to rise further
No damage to Russian military facilities, says Moscow
07:57 , Stuti Mishra
Russia’s defence ministry said that its military facilities had not been damaged by the major earthquake that struck central Turkey and northwest Syria, Reuters reports.
Russia, which is closely allied with the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, maintains a significant military presence in the country.
Death toll in Turkey-Syria earthquake now stands at 500
07:39 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey's vice president Fuat Oktay said 284 people had been killed and 2,323 people were injured in the country, as authorities scrambled rescue teams and supply aircraft to the affected area, while declaring a "level 4 alarm" that calls for international assistance.
In Syria, a government health official said more than 237 people had been killed and some 600 injured, most in the provinces of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia, already devastated by more than 11 years of civil war, where numerous buildings tumbled down.
In the Syrian rebel-held northwest, a rescue service said dozens had been killed.
The toll now stands at at least 500 confirmed deaths with fears the number of casualties can rise further.
Live: View from Diyarbakir after 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Turkey
07:30 , Stuti Mishra
Italy withdraws tsunami warning after Turkey, Syria earthquake
07:15 , Stuti Mishra
Italian authorities said on Monday they had withdrawn a tsunami warning for the country’s southern coast that was raised after a major earthquake struck central Turkey and northwest Syria, killing hundreds of people.
Italy’s Civil Protection Department had issued a statement recommending people to move away from coastal areas but later reduced the alert and tweeted that it had been withdrawn.
Train traffic in the southern regions of Sicily, Calabria and Apulia had been temporarily halted as a precaution but resumed in the morning, the agency said in the statement.
No damage detected to oil pipelines, says Turkish energy company
07:05 , Stuti Mishra
Turkish energy company Botas has denied any damage has been detected to an oil pipeline after earthquake.
A video was circulating on social media with the claim that a gas Pipeline near the City of KahramanmaraÅ in Southern Turkey has exploded and is burning out of control.
The company said gas supplies had been halted in some areas due to precautionary reasons.
Death toll climbs up to 300
06:54 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey's disaster agency said 76 people had been killed, and 440 hurt, as authorities scrambled rescue teams and supply aircraft to the affected area, while declaring a "level 4 alarm" that calls for international assistance.
A Syrian health official said more than 230 people had been killed and some 600 injured there, most in the provinces of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia, where numerous buildings tumbled down.
The death toll is now over 300 with fears that it could go further up.
Tsunami alert issued in Italy after Turkey earthquake
06:34 , Stuti Mishra
Italian authorities have issued a tsunami alert after a massive earthquake struck Turkey, early today morning.
In a tweet, an authority warned residents to stay away from coasts and to follow instructions issued by local government bodies.
🔴 ALLERTA POSSIBILE #MAREMOTO SULLE COSTE ITALIANE in seguito all'evento sismico in #Turchia. Si raccomanda di allontanarsi dalla costa e di seguire le indicazioni delle autorità locali
[Aggiornamento #6febbraio ore 3:15] https://t.co/N6XMaK9TQz— Dipartimento Protezione Civile (@DPCgov) February 6, 2023
Death toll reaches almost 200 in Turkey and Syria after 'devastating earthquake'
05:53 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency said the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed at least 76 people in seven Turkish provinces with 440 people left injured.
The news was announced as rescuers scrambled in areas across southeast Turkey for the last two hours to search for people trapped in toppled apartment blocks and other buildings.
Suleyman Soylu, the Turkish interior minister, called the shock a “devastating earthquake” and said the armed forces were assisting civilian agencies in the rescue effort.
Meanwhile, the death toll in government-held areas of Syria from Monday’s quake climbed to 99, according to Syrian state media citing the health ministry. In addition, at least 334 people were injured in Syria. Earlier, 20 people were reported killed in rebel-held areas of Syria.
This raises the overall death toll to 195 in Turkey and Syria.
In pictures: Major earthquake reduces buildings to rubble in Turkey and Syria
05:43 , Stuti Mishra
Total 42 aftershocks felt in two hours since earthquake, Turkey's disaster ministry says
05:21 , Stuti Mishra
According to Turkey’s ministry of interior disaster and emergency management, a total of 42 aftershocks have been felt in the two hours since the quake first struck at 4.17am local time.
“As of 6:30am, a total of 42 aftershocks, the largest of which was 6.6, were experienced,” the ministry said in a tweet in Turkish.
Kahramanmaraş ilimizin Pazarcık ilçesinde meydana gelen 7,4 büyüklüğündeki #deprem sonrasında; saat 06.30 itibarıyla en büyüğü 6,6 olmak üzere toplam 42 artçı sarsıntı yaşanmıştır.
— AFAD (@AFADBaskanlik) February 6, 2023
Death toll rises to 76 in Turkey
05:19 , Stuti Mishra
Turkey’s disaster management agency has revised the death toll to 76 as rescuers find hundreds trapped under the rubble with casualty figures feared to increase further.
The latest figures released by Turkey’s disaster agency at least 440 people been injured, as the death toll continues to climb.
AFAD, merkezi Kahramanmaraş'ın Pazarcık ilçesi olan 7,4 büyüklüğündeki depremde saat 06.30 itibarıyla 7 ilde 76 kişinin yaşamını yitirdiğini, 440 kişinin yaralandığını açıkladı. pic.twitter.com/QKc6cgJYe5
— ANADOLU AJANSI (@anadoluajansi) February 6, 2023
Situation in Syria 'disastrous' with many trapped in rubble, officials say
05:02 , Stuti Mishra
Major damage has been reported in interior regions of northern Syria, which includes opposition-ruled states, a fragile infrastructure and a vulnerable population of millions of people internally displaced by war.
The opposition's Syrian Civil Defense described the situation in the rebel-held region as "disastrous" adding that entire buildings have collapsed and people are trapped under the rubble.
The civil defence urged people to evacuate buildings to gather in open areas.
Emergency rooms were full of injured, said Amjad Rass, president of the Syrian American Medical Society.
At least 11 were killed in one town, Atmed, and many more were buried in the rubble, a doctor in the town, Muheeb Qaddour, told The Associated Press by telephone.
"We fear that the deaths are in the hundreds,” Mr Qaddour said, referring to the rebel-held northwest. “We are under extreme pressure.”
At least 130 buildings tumbled down in Turkey's Malatya province, says governor
05:02 , Stuti Mishra
At least 130 buildings tumbled down in Turkey's Malatya province, neighbouring the epicentre, governor Hulusi Sahin said.
In the Turkish city of Diyarbakir, at least 15 buildings collapsed.
Rescue teams called for silence as they listed for survivors in a toppled 11-story building.
There were at least 6 aftershocks, and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu urged people not to enter damaged buildings due to the risks.
"Our priority is to bring out people trapped under ruined buildings and to transfer them to hospitals," he said.
'Hope that we will get through this disaster together,' says Erdogan
04:57 , Stuti Mishra
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to the areas hit by the quake.
“We hope that we will get through this disaster together as soon as possible and with the least damage,” he wrote.
Biz de yaşanan deprem sonrası başlatılan çalışmaları koordine ediyoruz. Yaşadığımız bu felaketi inşallah hep birlikte en kısa sürede ve en az hasarla atlatmayı temenni ediyor, çalışmalarımızı sürdürüyoruz.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) February 6, 2023
Turkey and Syria quake deaths cross 100
04:46 , Stuti Mishra
A Syrian health official says the death toll in Syria from Turkey‘s earthquake is now at 62 as the death in Turkey rose to 38.
Syria’s assistance health minister said 42 people were killed in government-held areas of the country in today’s earthquake. At least 20 other people were killed in the rebel-held northwest raising the death toll in war-torn Syria to 62.
Assistant Health Minister Ahmad Dumeira told state news agency that 200 people were also injured by the quake in the provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia.
The government of Malatya province in Turkey meanwhile reported 23 deaths there, bringing overall death toll in Turkey 38.
Strong 7.9 magnitude earthquake hits Turkey
04:44 , Stuti Mishra
A strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey early today, toppling buildings, leaving hundreds injured wth death toll expected to rise.
The quake struck 23km east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep province at a depth of 24.1km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Nurdagi is located along the Turkey-Syria border.
The quake was felt in several countries across the region, including Syria and Lebanon and as far as Cairo.
Video shared on social media show panicked residents pouring outside in a cold winter night on the darkened streets amid the chaos. Rescue workers can be seen conducting search-and-rescue operations by flashlight.
04:24 , Stuti Mishra
Good morning! Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the earthquake that hit Turkey early on Monday. We’ll be bringing you all the latest developments as they unfold.
