Turkiye-Syria earthquake death toll rises to 2,200

A strong earthquake hit south-eastern Turkiye, near the border with Syria, in the wee hours of Monday killing over 2,200 people and injuring hundreds as buildings collapsed across the region, triggering searches for survivors in the rubble..

A report by US Geological Survey said a powerful quake measuring 7.8 on Richter scale struck at 04:17 local time at a depth of around 18km near Gaziantep – a major city located in Anatolia region.

Soon after the first earthquake, several aftershocks struck the southeastern regions, causing further damage.

At least 1,498 people killed in Turkiye and 783 casualities reported in Syria after the strong quake hit the region.

Local officials said that several regions of Turkiye reported damage, while rescue operations are underway. The tremors were felt in Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus, creating huge panic among the masses.

Several buildings have reportedly collapsed, with people trapped under the rubble.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said rescue units are on alert. He noted that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the province affected by the earthquake.

Erdogan spoke by telephone with the governors of eight affected provinces to gather information on the situation and rescue efforts, his office said in a statement.

The country of around 85 million lies in one of the world's most active earthquake zones.

In Syria, already devastated by more than 11 years of civil war, a government health official said more than 783 people had been killed and some 600 injured, most in the provinces of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia, where numerous buildings tumbled down.

In the Syrian rebel-held northwest, a rescue service said dozens had been killed.

US offer of help

The United States was "profoundly concerned" about the quake in Turkey and Syria and was monitoring events closely, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Twitter.

The U.S. is profoundly concerned by today’s destructive earthquake in Turkiye & Syria. I have been in touch with Turkish officials to relay that we stand ready to provide any & all needed assistance. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye.

— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) February 6, 2023