Ankara, Europe Brief News – A magnitude 7.8 earthquake has knocked down multiple buildings in southeast Turkey and northern Syria.
At least 200 deaths were reported in Turkey, while at least 100 people died in Syria and trapping many others.
There are fears the death toll will rise sharply in the coming hours.
Many buildings have collapsed and rescue teams have been deployed to search for survivors under huge piles of rubble.
Dozens of people are trapped under rubble, according to the “White Helmets” group, officially known as Syria Civil Defense, a humanitarian organization formed to rescue people injured in conflict.
Prayers for Turkey , Syria , Lebanon and Jordan
.#Turkey #Syria #Lebanon #Turkish #earthquake pic.twitter.com/H6JAkBlGut— UZAIR SHAHID (@UZAIR_SHAHID) February 6, 2023
The quake struck before daybreak on Monday, when residents were likely asleep and unprepared for the impact.
Videos from Turkey shared on social media showed dozens of collapsed buildings, while frightened residents huddled on the darkened streets amid the chaos.
Rescue workers were conducting search-and-rescue operations by flashlight.
🚨🇹🇷 #earthquake in #Turkey hundreds of people removing rubble in search of survivors.#Turkiye #nurdagi #Anayazi #Gaziantep #Syria pic.twitter.com/XkLZgtN6kt
— UZAIR SHAHID (@UZAIR_SHAHID) February 6, 2023
Meanwhile, the United States has expressed profound concern over reports of the “destructive earthquake” in Turkey and Syria and said it stood ready to provide “any and all needed assistance”.
US President Joe Biden has now directed government agencies to assess response options to help those most affected, the White House said in a statement.
