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Updates from Earthquake in Turkey & Syria: Over 3,800 Dead

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, killing over 3,800 people and injuring thousands more.

Photo taken while rescue work continues on collapsed buildings
Photo taken while rescue work continues on collapsed buildings

According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD), the quake struck at 4:17 am (0117 GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province.

Photo taken as Turkish soldiers and rescuers try to deal with the injured from the wreckage
Photo taken as Turkish soldiers and rescuers try to deal with the injured from the wreckage

Casualties and Search & Rescue Efforts

In Turkey, Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that 2,379 people were killed and 14,483 others were injured in 10 provinces due to the quake. He also said that 7,840 people had been rescued from the rubble, with 11,022 search and rescue teams working in the field. Over 25,000 people, including Turkish soldiers, are carrying out search and rescue operations in the affected regions.

Photo taken while rescue work continues on collapsed buildings
Photo taken while rescue work continues on collapsed buildings

Presidential Declaration of National Mourning

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared seven days of national mourning in response to the earthquakes. The quakes affected 10 cities with a population of approximately 13.5 million.

Photo taken as rescuers and the public try to rescue the injured from the rubble
Photo taken as rescuers and the public try to rescue the injured from the rubble

Aftershocks and Damage in Syria

In Syria, regime and rescue officials reported that at least 1,444 people were killed, and over 2,400 others were wounded. The earthquake was followed by 185 aftershocks, including two magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 quakes that struck southeastern Gaziantep province, with more expected to come.

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