Ankara [Turkey], February 6 (ANI): A deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey across seven provinces in the early hours of Monday have claimed more than 500 lives in nearby regions as well as Syria, CNN reported. The earthquake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi in Turkey’s Gaziantep province on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported citing disaster management authorities.

At least 284 people have been killed and close to 2,300 people were injured in Turkey, the American broadcaster reported citing the country’s Vice President Fuat Oktay. He also reported that more than 1,700 buildings were damaged across 10 Turkish cities.

In Syria, at least 237 people were killed and 639 injured, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported, citing a Health Ministry official. One of the largest earthquakes to hit Turkey in more than a century, it caused vibrations throughout the area, collapsed buildings, and forced people to flee into the streets.

In addition to the Syrian and Lebanon border, other regions affected by the earthquake included Turkey, Syria, and Nurdagi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to the areas hit by the quake. Multiple aftershocks followed the quake.
Social media videos showed multiple collapsed buildings and in Turkey and Syria with terrified locals huddling on the streets.

Southern and central Turkey have both experienced powerful aftershocks. According to CNN, the strongest aftershock, measuring 6.7 in magnitude, struck around 32 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of the original earthquake‘s epicentre about 11 minutes later. The governor of Malayta province in Turkey said that at least 23 people were killed in his province, and 420 were injured. 140 buildings were destroyed, he added.

Similarly quoting the governors of Sanliurfa and Osmaniye provinces of Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported that 15 and 5 people were killed in the provinces, separately. The toll of the injured also remains high. Several provinces in Southern Turkey also reported loss of lives. There were reports of destroyed buildings in Turkey and Syria, where tremors also were felt.

People took to social media to post footage of the destruction, including collapsed buildings and people trapped under the rubble. The casualty count is further expected to rise.

PM Modi ‘anguished’ over Turkey earthquake, condoles loss of life

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the loss of life in the massive earthquake that rattled Turkey and nearby areas and claimed more than 100 lives.
Deeply anguished over the loss of lives and property in Turkey, the Prime Minister said that India stands in solidarity with Turkey in this tough time.

“Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy,” PM Modi tweeted.

Death toll climbs to 17 in Turkey earthquake, rescue operation underway

Ankara [Turkey], February 6 (ANI): The massive earthquake that shook Turkey and nearby regions in the early hours of Monday, killed at least 17 and injured many, turning buildings into rubble, CNN reported.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred 24.1 kilometres (14.9 miles) beneath the surface, 23 kilometres (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi in the province of Gaziantep.

In addition to the Syrian and Lebanon border, other regions affected by the earthquake included Turkey, Syria, and Nurdagi.