Death Toll Exceeds 1,900 With Thousands Injured As Second Earthquake Strikes Turkey, Syria

At least 1,900 people have been killed in Monday after two powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria within the space of 12 hours.

KanyiDaily had earlier reported that hundreds of people died after 7.8 magnitude  quake struck in southern Turkey, close to the Syrian border,  in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep.

Another 7.5-magnitude tremor hit at around 13:30 local time (10:30 GMT), killing more than 1,900 people with more than 8,000 injured.

The death toll is expected to rise, with search and rescue operations under way across the region as many buildings have collapsed and there are thought to be many people trapped in the rubble.

Official figures from Turkey say 1,121 people were killed there, 5,383 were injured, and 2,834 buildings had collapsed.

While Syrian authorities are reporting 783 dead and more than 2,000 injured, according to AFP news agency.

More than 10 search and rescue teams from the European Union have been mobilised in the wake of the earthquake, a spokesperson for the European Commission said.

The US, UK, Israel, Russia and China are among other nations to have made public offers of assistance.

A survivor, Alaa Nafi in Idib describes to Al Jazeera the situation in the northwestern city following the major earthquake.

He said, We experienced something extremely horrific and terrifying. Waking up in the middle of the night to the entire building shaking was the worst feeling ever.

“It [earthquake] lasted a couple of minutes but it felt like ages. Seeing people with children out on the streets crying in cold weather was heartbreaking.

“We all congregated in one area away from all the buildings. I certainly wish that no one will ever go through what we went through today,” he added.

United States President, Joe Biden says he is “deeply saddened” by the earthquake and loss of life in Turkey and Syria and has promised help from Washington.

“I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance,” the president tweeted.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is “deeply saddened” by the major earthquake that has hit Turkey and Syria.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the huge loss of life caused by the earthquake. … He sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said in a statement.

KanyiDaily recalls that had also reported how over 21 people died including a young family of four after a devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Italy overnight.