Search teams and rescuers working in freezing temperatures are racing to find survivors from the massive earthquake and multiple aftershocks that leveled thousands of buildings in Turkiye and Syria.
The death toll soared above 6,300 on the second day and was still expected to rise after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early Monday. Rescuers are searching for survivors after the massive quake shook the region, causing multiple aftershocks and sending tremors as far away as Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Israel.
On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. He said the state of emergency will last for three months.
Key facts
- Death toll soared past 6,300 and is expected to rise in both countries.
- Turkey reported 4,544 killed and 22,168 are injured.
- In Syria, 1,800 were reported killed and 3,200 injured.
- More than 5,000 buildings collapsed in Turkiye
- More than 100 aftershocks struck the region.
Strongest earthquake in years
The quake could be the largest recorded in the region, which sits on an earthquake-prone belt known as the Anatolia fault.
Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) put the magnitude at 7.4 and said the quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (1:17 a.m. GMT). The epicenter was in the Pazarcik district of southern Kahramanmaras province.
US Geological Survey (USGS) said s one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years.
Victims in Turkiye:
At least 4,544 people have died in Turkiye and more than 22,168 have been injured and search and rescue operations are ongoing in several major cities, officials said.
Victims in Syria: The death toll in government-held areas climbed to 812 with more than 1,820 injured, according to Syrian media. At least 1,020 people were killed in rebel-held areas and more than 2,400 are injured., according to the White Helmets.
Death toll rises
Death toll from powerful earthquakes in southeastern Turkiye climbs to 4,544 while 26,725 others are injured, the country’s disaster agency official said.
The earthquake came as the region is experiencing a snowstorm that is expected to continue until Thursday. Fresh snowfall is hampering rescue efforts in Diyarbakir and elsewhere in the south.
Centuries-old Gaziantep Castle heavily damaged
The historical castle in Gaziantep was also damaged when a major 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s southeast, the epicenter of which is the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş. The dome and eastern wall of the historical Şirvani Mosque, next to the castle, built in the 17th century, also partially collapsed.
Support and condolences
Leaders and officials from the United States, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Ukraine have offered condolences and pledged support following the disaster. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the US was “profoundly concerned” about the destruction.
Azerbaijan is sending a search and rescue team of 370 people to Türkiye. President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan is “deeply saddened by the news of the loss of life and destruction”.
Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis said, “We are deeply saddened by the devastating catastrophe that occurred in Turkey and Syria. Greece is mobilizing its resources and will help immediately.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he is in contact with Turkey and NATO allies were organized for support.