Rescue teams have been sent to the affected region around Kahramanmaras, with a "level 4 alarm" declared, calling for international assistance.
Turkey Declares "Level 4 Alarm" After Deadly Earthquake
The death toll is at least 23 in Turkey's Malatya province, 17 in Sanliurfa, six in Diyarbakir, and five in Osmaniye. In Syria, 42 people have been reported dead, according to state media. The quake was felt in Cyprus, Lebanon, and Syria, causing residents in the affected areas to evacuate their homes.
Tremors Felt in Multiple Countries After Turkey Earthquake
The quake lasted about a minute and was felt strongest in Gaziantep, near the epicenter. Sixteen structures collapsed in Sanliurfa, 34 in Osmaniye, and at least 17 buildings in Diyarbakir. The German Research Centre for Geosciences reported the quake struck at a depth of 10 km, while the US Geological Survey reported a series of further earthquakes following the initial tremor.
Aftershocks Follow Major Earthquake in Southern Turkey
People in Damascus, Beirut, and Tripoli also ran into the streets and took to their cars to escape their buildings in case they collapsed. Strong earthquakes regularly hit the area, and the Turkish Red Crescent relief agency has issued an appeal for blood donations.
