Major quake kills hundreds across Turkey, Syria
The earthquake was one of the most powerful to strike the region in at least a century, impacting southeastern Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, and occupied Palestine.
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A man carries away an injured child following an earthquake in the town of Jindires in northern Syria. (AFP)
On Monday, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, killing more than 300, leveling houses while many were still sleeping, and spreading shocks as far away as the island of Cyprus.
The original death toll in Turkey was 76, but it may rise significantly higher because the night-time calamity devastated dozens of apartment towers across major cities.
Another Video- First video is emerging after a M7.8 earthquake in central Turkey.#earthquake in #Şanlıurfa#Turkey #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/mVxNorZ0j0
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) February 6, 2023
Images on television showed stunned citizens in Turkey standing in the snow in their pajamas, watching rescuers rummage through the debris of destroyed homes.
Meanwhile, at least 230 people were killed and thousands injured across Syria as buildings fell following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that had its epicenter in southeastern Turkey, as per the Syrian health ministry.
Since the earthquake struck Syria at dawn, rescuers have been rushing to look for survivors among the rubble of collapsed houses.
Terrified residents ran out of their homes after the ground shook, as per media reports.
Earlier, SANA reported earlier that the earthquake was felt from the western coast of Latakia to Damascus.
"This earthquake is the strongest since the National Earthquake Centre was founded in 1995," Raed Ahmed, who heads the center, said as quoted by SANA.
At least eight people were killed "in the regions of Azaz and al-Bab," a source at a local hospital said as quoted by AFP, adding that the number is likely to rise as search and rescue operations are underway.
The US Geological Survey reported a 7.8-magnitude earthquake near Gaziantep in southern Turkey on Monday at 04:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT) at a depth of around 17.9 kilometers (11 miles).
Damaging M7.8 EQ hit southern Turkey near the Syrian border ~4am local time. PAGER is red for this event; extensive damage is probable. Our hearts go out to those affected. See @Kandilli_info for local info. https://t.co/dMyc6ZVrE1 https://t.co/0OxrznZf1v pic.twitter.com/eco071JqVm
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) February 6, 2023
It is worth noting that the earthquake reached Lebanon, occupied Palestine, and Cyprus as well.
