Over 568 Dead, Several Injured After Strong Earthquake Hits Turkey, Syria

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake has shaken southeastern Turkey early this morning, followed by another strong temblor. The quake killed dozens, levelling buildings while people were still in their sleep, and sending tremors that were felt as far away as the island of Cyprus.

According to a report, the earthquake was felt in several provinces n the region and knocked down a number of buildings.

Taking notes from the quake, the US Geological Survey said that quake was centred about 33 kilometres (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was about 26 kilometres (16 miles) from the town of Nurdagi. A strong 6.7 temblor rumbled about 10 minutes later, the survey said.

Dozens dead due to earthquake

In a  recent development of rescue missions, over 568 were found dead in both countries. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay says at least 2,300 people were injured across 10 provinces affected by the quake and 1,700 buildings collapsed.

Earlier, local officials in Turkey put the initial death count at 53, although it threatened to climb substantially higher because it caught most people while they were still at home asleep.

Several buildings tumbled down in the neighbouring provinces of Malatya, Diyarbakir and Malatya, said a media report. Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Television images showed shocked people in Turkey standing in the snow in their pyjamas, watching rescuers dig through the debris of damaged homes.

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Quake felt in neighbouring countries

The earthquake was also felt in Lebanon and Syria. Syria’s state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama.

In Syria’s rebel-held northwest that borders Turkey, several buildings collapsed, according to the opposition’s Syrian civil Defence. In Beirut and Damascus, buildings shook and many people went down to the streets in fear. Forty-two people were killed in government-controlled parts of Syria, state media said, while a local hospital that eight others were killed in northern areas controlled by pro-Turkish factions.

Speaking to the media, the health ministry said, “Forty-two deaths and 200 injuries have been reported in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia as a result of the earthquake in a preliminary toll.”