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Heavy earthquake shakes Turkey and Syria; at least 1,300 dead so far

earthquake
earthquake

An early Monday morning earthquake shook southern Turkey and northern Syria, causing widespread destruction, the collapse of several buildings, and a frantic hunt for survivors among the wreckage. At this time, the number of confirmed fatalities is at 1,300, with hundreds more injured. Further casualties are anticipated.

Several hours before sunrise, inhabitants on both sides of the border were roused from their beds by the earthquakes and rushed outside into the freezing rain and snow. In cities all along the frontier, dozens of buildings were destroyed.

Turkey Earthquake Live Updates: Three strong quakes in 24 hours jolt Turkey, Syria; death toll touches 1,900 | Mint

According to Turkey’s president, at least 912 people were murdered throughout 10 provinces in Turkey, with over 5,400 more injured. According to the Health Ministry, the death toll in government-controlled parts of Syria has risen to 326, with an estimated 1,000 more injured.

The death toll in rebel-controlled territory ranged from 106 to 150. Countless people were harmed. Locals and rescuers combed through twisted metal and shards of concrete to look for anyone trapped beneath the wreckage of collapsed buildings in several border cities.

Turkey earthquake: At least 36 dead, 1,607 injured | CNN

 

On the Syrian side of the border, the earthquake devastated areas held by the opposition, which were home to approximately 4 million people who had been forced to flee their homes as a result of the country’s protracted civil conflict.

The majority of them are subjected to dreary housing and inadequate medical attention. A local doctor named Muheeb Qaddour told The Associated Press over the phone that at least 11 people had been killed in the town of Atmeh and that many more were likely trapped under the wreckage.

Turkey Earthquake Live Updates: Three strong quakes in 24 hours jolt Turkey, Syria; death toll touches 1,900 | Mint

 

The epicenter of the quake, which was felt in Cairo, was located around 60 miles (90 kilometers) from the Syrian border, just north of Gaziantep, the provincial capital of Turkey with a population of over 2 million. More than a decade of fighting in Syria has left its mark on the surrounding area.

Turkey is currently hosting millions of Syrian refugees. Divides exist between government- and opposition-held territory in the region hit by the earthquake in Syria. After several hours of daylight had passed, at least 20 aftershocks occurred, the biggest registering 6.6 on the Richter scale, according to Turkish authorities.

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 1,900

Immediately after the earthquake, “search and rescue personnel were despatched,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted. The group “hopes to get through this calamity together as quickly and with as little harm as possible,” he stated.

Reports of collapsed buildings stretched from Aleppo and Hama in Syria to Diyarbakir in Turkey, about 200 kilometres to the northeast. Traffic congestion were generated by individuals fleeing the quake-affected areas in Turkey, making it more difficult for rescue workers to get to those places.

Toll rises to over 1,900 as second massive quake hits Turkey and Syria | The Times of Israel

 

The government strongly discouraged people from using the roadways. Many mosques in the area have opened their doors to those who are unable to return to their damaged homes because of the persistently cold weather.

According to the USGS, the epicenter of the tremor was roughly 33 kilometers (20 miles) from the city of Gaziantep. The epicenter was about 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the surface. Many Damascenes fled to the streets in panic as their buildings shook.

Powerful 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Turkey And Syria, Kills Over 1,900 | HuffPost Latest News

The earthquake hit during a snowfall that would last through Thursday in the Middle East.Turkey is prone to earthquakes because of its location on or near several major fault lines. Intense earthquakes struck the north, killing around 18,000.

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Written by Sarah Joseph

Hi, fellow readers! So glad you found my little writing nook on the internet. I am a freelance writer, occasionally moonlighting as a digital marketer as well. I love to read, mostly focusing on high-fantasy and thrillers. Here, on Geekybar, I share my thoughts and views on breaking and recent news form all around the world. Oh, and I LOVE covering all the celeb gossips so stick around for some really interesting stuff!

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More than 300 dead by powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria

More than 300 dead by powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria

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