Turkey-Syria Earthquake Live: Death toll surpasses 43,000, rescue operations continue

Nearly a week after an earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria, the death roll has crossed over 43,000. Tens of thousands of rescue workers are scouring flattened neighbourhoods despite freezing weather that has deepened the misery of millions now in desperate need of aid. Security concerns led some aid operations to be suspended, and dozens of people have been arrested for looting or trying to defraud victims in the aftermath of the quake in Turkey, according to state media. Track here for more live updates

Turkey rages at shoddy construction after 'earthquake-proof' homes topple

Eleven days after the quake that killed more than 43,000 in Turkey and Syria and left millions homeless, outrage is growing over what Turks see as corrupt building practices and deeply flawed urban developments.

Man rescued from rubble 11 days after earthquake in Turkey

A man was rescued on Friday from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the southern province of Hatay, 11 days after the quake.

Over 140 aid trucks enter rebel-held Syria since quake: UN

More than 140 trucks carrying desperately-needed aid have crossed into rebel-held northwestern Syria from Turkey since a giant earthquake devastated the region last week, the United Nations said on Friday.

Syrian family of seven dies in fire after surviving quake

Five Syrian children and their parents died on Friday in a fire that struck a Turkish home they moved to after surviving last week's earthquake. The Syrian family moved to the central region of Konya from the southeastern Turkish city of Nurdagi, which was badly hit by the February 6 temblor.

47-member NDRF team along with dog squad members Rambo and Honey returned to India today after conducting a 10-day-long rescue operation from earthquake-hit Turkey

Death toll surpasses 41,000, rescue operations continue

UN launches $1 bn appeal for Turkey quake victims

Turkey earthquakes to cost insurers $2.4 billion: KCC

Catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Company (KCC) said on Thursday it expects insured losses of $2.4 billion from the devastating dual Kahramanmaras earthquakes that hit Turkey earlier this month.

Young woman rescued from rubble 248 hours after earthquake in Turkey

A 17-year-old woman was rescued on Thursday from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the southern central province of Kahramanmaras, 248 hours after a massive earthquake struck the area this week, killing more than 40,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

Turkey earthquake could result in loss of up to 1% of country's GDP in 2023

The potential economic effects of the earthquake in Turkey could result in a loss of up to 1% of the country's gross domestic product this year, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said in a report published on Thursday.

Thousands of Syrian refugees in Turkey rush to border crossing to return home

Thousands of Syrian refugees in Turkey lined up at border crossings in hopes of returning home temporarily after Syrian border officials announced that Turkey had agreed to let the refugees leave and return later while it copes with a disastrous earthquake.

Blinken to visit quake-hit Turkey on Sunday

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel Sunday to Turkey to view relief operations after a massive earthquake, his first trip to the NATO ally which has had turbulent relations with Washington. Blinken will visit the Incirlik air base, through which aid is flowing, and then hold talks with senior Turkish officials in the capital Ankara, the State Department announced Wednesday.

WHO says it asked Syria's Assad to open border crossings

Senior World Health Organization officials asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to open more border crossing with Turkey to get aid to areas of northern Syria hit by powerful earthquakes, the head of WHO said on Wednesday.

UAE pledges additional $50 million in quake aid to Syria

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday pledged an additional $50 million in assistance to quake-hit Syria, the official WAM news agency said, bringing the total value of pledges to more than $100 million.

Russia says more than 300 troops helping Syria recover from earthquake

More than 300 Russian servicemen and 60 units of special military equipment are helping Syria in its response to a devastating earthquake that struck more than a week ago, Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday.

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Credit: Reuter Photo

Dog found alive in rubble after earthquake

As the clean-up operation continues, rescuers comfort a dog found still alive after having been trapped under the rubble in Kahramanmaras, a week after the earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and neighbouring Syria

Young girl rescued from rubble in Turkey 178 hours after quake

A young girl named Miray was rescued from the rubble of an apartment block in the southern Turkish city of Adiyaman on Monday, 178 hours after a devastating earthquake shook the region, a minister and media reports said.(Reuters)

Turkey-Syria quake toll rises above 35,000

The toll from last week's earthquake in Turkey and Syria rose above 35,000 on Monday, as rescue teams started to wind down the search for survivors and the aid effort shifted to hundreds of thousands of people made homeless.(AFP)

Kremlin says it is in contact with Syrian authorities over quake relief

The Kremlin said on Monday that it was in contact with Syrian authorities over providing relief to areas affected by last week's earthquake and that it was finding ways to continue supplying humanitarian aid there.(Reuters)

Woman pulled alive from rubble in Turkey a week after earthquake

Rescuers pulled a woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Turkey on Monday, broadcaster CNN Turk reported, a week after a major earthquake struck Turkey and Syria killing more than 34,000 people so far. Sibel Kaya, 40, was rescued inthe southern Gaziantep province, some 170 hours after the first of two quakes struck the region, the report said.

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Looters raid shops in Turkey after devastating earthquake

Turkey's once mighty developers under fire after quake

As outrage grows, authorities have arrested three people linked to the construction and development business - including two developers trying to flee the country - and issued warrants for 114 more

Death toll hits 33,000 in Turkey, Syria quake

The death toll from a catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria climbed to 33,000 on Sunday, with the United Nations warning that the final number may double.

A rescue team deploys sniffer dog to detect signs of human life under rubble in Gaziantep of Turkey

Children among those pulled from destroyed buildings in Turkey's Hatay

A father and daughter, a toddler and a 10-year-old girl were among survivors pulled from the ruins of collapsed buildings in the southern Turkish province of Hatay on Sunday.

Greece's foreign minister visits Turkey

Greece's foreign minister visited Turkey on Sunday in a show of support after the country was hit by a devastating earthquake last Monday, despite a longstanding rivalry between the two NATO countries. Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias was met with a warm embrace by his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. His arrival marks the first visit by a European minister to Turkey since the earthquake.

113 arrested as Turkey steps up investigation in relation to building violations

Vice President Fuat Oktay said overnight that 131 suspects had so far been identified as responsible for the collapse of some of the thousands of buildings flattened in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes.

Syria quake aid held up by HTS 'approval issues', says UN spokesperson

Earthquake aid from government-held parts of Syria into territory controlled by hardline opposition groups has been held up by approval issues with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a United Nations spokesperson told Reuters on Sunday.

India's exports to Turkey may get impacted in short run due to earthquake

India's merchandise exports of commodities such as cotton, manmade yarn and textile dyes may be impacted in the short run to earthquake-hit Turkey, according to exporters.

Turkey arrests building contractors 6 days after quakes

In the wake of the devastatin earthquakes, Turkish officials detained or issued arrest warrants for some 130 people allegedly involved in the construction of buildings that toppled down and crushed their occupants.

Mortal remains of deceased Indian national to be brought back soon

Unfair to be accused of shirking aid for Syria, says EU envoy

The European Union's envoy to Syria said early on Sunday that it was not fair to accuse the group of failing to provide enough help to Syrians following the earthquake that devastated large parts of Syria and Turkey last week. Dan Stoenescu told Reuters the bloc and its member states have gathered more than 50 million euros to provide aid and back rescue missions and first aid in both government-held and rebel-controlled parts of Syria. (Reuters)

Seventh Indian flight delivers relief materials at Adana airport in Turkey

Turkey-Syria quake deaths to top 50,000: UN relief chief

The death toll from a massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria will "double or more" from its current level of 28,000, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths has said. Griffiths arrived on Saturday in Turkey's southern city of Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the first 7.8-magnitude tremor that upturned millions of lives in the pre-dawn hours of Monday. He said of the death toll in an interview with Sky News on Saturday: "I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more." "We haven't really begun to count the number of dead," he said.

India sends another IAF craft with relief material for Turkey & Syria

Turkey-Syria quake deaths pass 28,000

Nearly 26 mn people affected by Turkey-Syria quake: WHO

Almost 26 million people have been affected by the deadly earthquake that ravagedTurkeyand Syria this week, the WHO said Saturday, warning that dozens of hospitals had been damaged.

As the death toll from the quake rose above 25,000, the UN health agency launched a flash appeal Saturday asking for $42.8 million to help it address the immediate, towering health needs.

(AFP)

Turkey arrests 48 people over looting after quake

Turkish authorities have arrested 48 people for looting after a powerful earthquake hitTurkey, state media reported Saturday.

The suspects were held in eight different provinces as part of investigations into looting after Monday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region, news agency Anadolu said.

The tremor and its aftershocks killed more than 25,000 people inTurkeyand Syria.

(AFP)

Looting and hygiene worries add to rescuers' burden in Turkey

Volunteers struggling to find ever fewer survivors in the quake-hit Turkish city of Antakya said on Saturday ransacking and hygiene problems were adding to their daunting task.

One resident, searching for a colleague buried in a collapsed building, said he witnessed looting in the first days after Monday's quake before leaving the city for a village.

(Reuters)

Turkey detains 12 over collapsed buildings after quake

Turkish police have detained 12 people over collapsed buildings in the southeastern provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, local media reported on Saturday, following the huge quake that hitTurkey.

Those taken into custody included contractors, DHA news agency said. At least 6,000 buildings collapsed after a 7.8-magnitude tremor hit the region, killing more than 25,000 people, sparking anger over the poor quality of housing.

There are expected to be more detentions after the public prosecutor in Diyarbakir, one of 10 southeastern provinces affected by the quake, issued arrest warrants for 29 people on Saturday, state news agency reported.

One of those detained Saturday was a contractor for a building in Gaziantep, the agency said, adding he was found by police in Istanbul.

Turkey-Armenia gate opens for first time in decades to allow aid

A border gate between long-feudingTurkeyand Armenia has been opened for the first time in 35 years to allow aid for victims of the devastating earthquakes in southernTurkey, state-owned Anadolu news agency and a diplomat said.

Turkey's special envoy for Armenia, Serdar Kilic, tweeted photos of trucks passing through the Alican checkpoint at the Turkish side of the Aras river separating the two countries.

"I will always remember the generous aid sent by the people of Armenia to help alleviate the sufferings of our people in the earthquake stricken region inTurkey," Kilic said, thanking Armenian officials.

Anadolu said the crossing was last used to send aid from the Turkish Red Crescent to earthquake-hit Armenia in 1988.

Last year, Turkish and Armenian leaders met informally at a European summit, following a meeting by their foreign ministers, in efforts to mend decades of animosity.

Ankara has not had diplomatic or commercial ties with Armenia since the 1990s. They are at odds primarily over the 1.5 million people Armenia says were killed in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor to modernTurkey.

Armenia says this constitutes genocide.

Turkeyaccepts that many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War One, but contests the figures and denies it was systematic.

Death toll rises above 25,000 in Turkey, Syria quake

The death toll from a catastrophic earthquake that hitTurkeyand Syria climbed to more than 25,000 on Saturday, as rescuers worked in freezing weather to find people alive.

Officials and medics said 21,848 people had died inTurkeyand 3,553 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the confirmed total to 25,401.

Death of an Indian national, missing in Turkey since the earthquake, confirmed. "Mortal remains of Vijay Kumar, an Indian national missing in Turkiye since Feb 6 earthquake, have been found and identified among the debris of a hotel in Malatya," tweets Embassy of India, Ankara.

Indian Army provides medical help to earthquake-hit people in Turkey

Turkey to act against those involved in looting: Erdogan

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the government would take action against those involved in looting and other crimes in the region affected by this week's devastating earthquakes.

Speaking during a visit to the quake zone, Erdogan said hundreds of thousands of buildings were uninhabitable across southernTurkeyand that authorities would take steps to start rebuilding damaged cities within weeks.

5 days in, survivors still found in quake-hit Turkey, Syria

Rescue teams inTurkeyon Saturday pulled to safety a family of five who survived inside their collapsed home for five days following a major earthquake in a sprawling border region ofTurkeyand Syria. The death toll, however, was approaching 25,000.

They first extricated mother and daughter Havva and Fatmagul Aslan from among a mound of debris in the hard-hit town of Nurdag, in Gaziantep province, HaberTurk reported.

The teams later reached the father, Hasan Aslan, but he insisted that his other daughter, Zeynep, and son Saltik Bugra be saved first.

Then, as the father was brought out, rescuers cheered and chanted “God is Great!”

The dramatic rescue after 129 hours brings to nine the number of people rescued Saturday, despite diminishing hopes amid freezing temperatures. They included a disoriented 16-year-old and a 70-year-old woman.

WHO chief arrives in Syria's quake-hit Aleppo

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on Saturday in Syria's quake-stricken city of Aleppo, state media reported.

Tedros "arrived at Aleppo airport to tour some hospitals and shelters with (Syria's) health minister and the governor of Aleppo", the official news agency SANA said.

Austrian army suspends Turkey quake rescue

The Austrian army on Saturday suspended rescue operations in quake-ravagedTurkeydue to a worsening "security situation", a spokesman said.

"There have been clashes between groups," he told AFP without giving details. The spokesman said the Austrian troops were sheltering "in a base camp with other international organisations, awaiting instructions".

Aid trickles in as Turkey-Syria quake toll passes 24,000

International aid was trickling into parts ofTurkeyand Syria on Saturday where rescuers toiled to pull children from rubble in areas devastated by a massive earthquake that has killed over 24,000 people.

A winter freeze in the affected areas has hurt rescue efforts and compounded the suffering of millions of people, many in desperate need of aid.

At least 870,000 people urgently needed food in the two countries after the quake, which has left up to 5.3 million people homeless in Syria alone, the UN warned.

Aftershocks following Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor have added to the death toll and further upended the lives of survivors.

Insulated from war, quake brings 'first catastrophe' to Syria city

Syria's coastal city of Jableh, a regime heartland, was largely spared the worst of war but a massive quake has now joined it in misery with the rest of the battle-scarred country.

With flattened buildings, civilians trapped under rubble and residents forced to flee their homes, Jableh is no longer sheltered from the kind of devastation that has long plagued neighbouring regions.

"It's the first catastrophe of its kind in Jableh," said Abdulhadi al-Ajji. "I am 52 years old and I have never gone through anything like this in my life."

The father of four, whose cracked cinderblock home overlooks a building in ruins, said his city had always been a safe haven even at the height of Syria's nearly 12-year war.

When rebels expanded their foothold across the country, Jableh sent men to fight, but never saw major battle on its own soil.

Turkey-Syria earthquake: 2 women survive for days in rubble as death toll tops 24,150

Rescuers in Turkey pulled two women alive from the rubble of collapsed buildings after they were been trapped for 122 hours following the region's deadliest quake in two decades, authorities said on Saturday. The death toll exceeded 24,150 across southern Turkey and northwest Syria a day after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said authorities should have reacted faster to Monday's huge earthquake. (Reuters)

Cuba to send medics to Turkey, Syria to assist in quake relief

Cuba prepared on Friday to send healthcare workers to Turkey and Syria, joining a growing group of nations providing rescue and medical aid to the region after a devastating earthquake this week. Cuban authorities in Havana on Friday evening said 32 medics were set to depart for Turkey. Earlier in the week, Syrian ambassador Ghassan Obeid told Cuban state-run media that 27 Cuban medics would be headed to Syria. Countries around the world have volunteered health care workers and aid to the region the deadliest quake in two decades. (Reuters)

Volunteers put together makeshift medical system in earthquake zone

A new makeshift health care system has been constructed amid the devastation by volunteers from around Turkey and the world. While the most severely wounded were sent to undamaged hospitals in other provinces for treatment, field hospitals in the heart of the earthquake zone sprung up to stabilize the newly rescued, treat more minor injuries and manage the diseases that are flaring in the disaster’s wake. (NYT)

Outlawed Kurdish militants are temporarily suspending 'operations' in Turkey

Outlawed Kurdish militants are temporarily suspending "operations" in Turkey after the massive quake, PKK leader Cemil Bayik says.

Syrian students in Bengaluru worried about families back home

Forty-one Syrianstudents, studying various courses at Jain Deemed to be University in Bengaluruunder the Study India programme, are worried about their families back home. These students took out a solidarity march on their campus on Wednesday evening.

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Credit: AFP Photo

Rescuers continue to scour debris nearly 100 hours after a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria

Rescuers continue to scour debris nearly 100 hours after a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing at least 21,000 people in one of the region's worst disasters for a century

Turkey's Erdogan faces voter fury in quake zone

"No government, no state, no police, no soldiers. Shame on you! You left us on our own."

Ukrainian rescuers arrive in Turkey

Rescuers from the Ukrainian emergency services set up a "tent city" in the city of Antakya, Turkey, to begin search and rescue operations after the deadly earthquake that claimed thousands of victims in the region.

Two-year old rescued from rubble 79 hours after earthquake in Turkey

A two-year old boy was rescued on Thursday from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the southern city of Antakya, 79 hours after a massive earthquake struck the area this week, killing more than 19,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

Footage from Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) showed rescue workers looking into a narrow opening in the debris of a building in Antakya and pulling out the boy as he wept.

Death toll in Turkey and Syria rises to more than 19,300

Thousands who lost their homes in a catastrophic earthquake huddled around campfires and clamoured for food and water in the bitter cold, three days after the temblor and series of aftershocks hit Turkiye and Syria, killing more than 19,300.

Rescuers continued their race to pull more people alive from the rubble, with the window closing to find trapped survivors.

While stories of miraculous rescues briefly buoyed spirits, the grim reality of the hardship facing tens of thousands who survived the disaster cast a pall.

In the Turkish city of Antakya, dozens of people scrambled for aid in front of a truck distributing children's coats and other supplies.

France pledges 12 million euros in Syria quake aid

France on Thursday promised 12 million euros (almost $13 million) in emergency aid to Syrians after the earthquake that hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria earlier this week.

The aid would be disbursed "through non-governmental organisations and the United Nations in all regions affected", foreign ministry spokesman Francois Delmas said.

Death toll rises above 17,500 in Turkey, Syria quake

The death toll from a huge earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria climbed to more than 17,500 on Thursday, as hopes faded of finding survivors stuck under rubble in freezing weather.

Officials and medics said 14,351 people had died in Turkey and 3,162 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the confirmed total to 17,513.

UN says quake aid should reach Syria via Turkey crossing 'today'

The United Nations said Thursday that it had received assurances aid would reach the earthquake-devastated areas of northwestern Syria through the sole authorised crossing from Turkey "today", demanding that the aid not be "politicised".

Twitter down in Turkey as quake response criticism mounts

Twitter became inaccessible on major Turkish mobile providers Wednesday as online criticism mounted of the government's response to this week's deadly earthquake.

AFP reporters were unable to access the social media network across Turkey. It still worked using VPN services that disguise a user's location.

"Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be reenabled shortly," the platform's owner, Elon Musk, tweeted Wednesday.

Russia sends second rescue team to Turkey

Russia has sent a second rescue team with medical specialists and rescuers to earthquake-hit Turkey, the country's Emergencies Ministry said.

In a Telegram post, the Ministry on Wednesday said that an Il-76 plane with 50 rescuers and 11 doctors on board took off on Wednesday in accordance with an order given by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xinhua news agency reported.

Over 15,000 people have been killed so far due to powerful earthquakes in Turkey and Syria:AFP

Search and rescue operation underway by NDRF teams in Turkey's Nurdagi

Quake Death Toll Passes 12,000 in Turkey and Syria as Desperation Builds

Twitter restricted in quake-hit Turkey amid rescue efforts

Twitter has been restricted in Turkey on Wednesday, the Netblocks internet observatory said, two days after a major earthquake that has killed more than 11,000 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

Netblocks, which tracks connectivity across the globe, tweeted that the real-time network data showed a restriction of Twitter across major internet providers.

"Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes," Netblocks said. (Reuters)

10 Indians stuck but safe, one missing in quake-hit Turkey, says MEA

Ten Indians are stuck in remote parts of earthquake-hit Turkey but they are safe while one citizen is missing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.

Secretary (West) in the MEA Sanjay Verma said the Indians in Turkiye are relatively safe. (PTI)

At least 11,200 dead in Turkey-Syria quake as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose above 11,200 on Wednesday as rescuers raced to save survivors trapped under debris in the winter cold.

Officials and medics said 8,574 people had died in Turkey and 2,662 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the total to 11,236. (AFP)

Syria requests EU for help in earthquake relief

Syria on Wednesday made an official plea to the EU for help after the deadly earthquake that struck it and Turkey this week, the bloc's commissioner for crisis management said.

The European Commission is "encouraging" EU member countries to respond to Syria's request for medical supplies and food, while monitoring to ensure that any aid "is not diverted" by the sanctioned government in Damascus, Janez Lenarcic said. (AFP)

Pope Francis calls for global solidarity in wake of Turkey-Syria quake

Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed for global solidarity with Turkey and Syria following a devastating earthquake, and thanked those risking their lives to help.

More than 9,500 people have so far been confirmed dead following Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake, although experts warn the toll could yet double. (AFP)

India's Garuda Aerospace to provide drones for rescue ops in quake-hit Turkey

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace would provide its drones to aid the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in the devastating earthquake that hit Turkiye which saw several thousands killed, the company said on Wednesday.

Garuda Aerospace would deploy 'Droni Drone' for surveillance in the most affected areas to identify victims of the earthquake. Modified 'Kisan Drone' would carry payloads to help transport of medicines, supplies and foods for the victims. (PTI)

Death toll rises above 9,500 in Turkey, Syria quake

Death toll rises to above 8,700 in Turkey, Syria quake

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose to more than 8,700 on Wednesday, official data showed, with rescue workers racing to reach trapped survivors.

Officials and medics said 6,234 people had died in Turkey and 2,470 in Syria, bringing the total to 8,704.

Turkey-Syria earthquake toll tops 8,300

Heartrending scenes of a newborn plucked alive from the rubble and a broken father clutching his dead daughter's hand have laid bare the human cost of violent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey that by Wednesday had claimed 8,300 lives.

India stands forever for humanity, says Jaishankar on support to Turkey despite differences

Fourth IAF aircraft with 54 members of Indian Army medical team lands in Turkey

India has stable relations with countries amid ups & downs in geopolitical situations: EAM

Every day we see ups & downs in geopolitical situations but India has stable relations with countries. As per our policy of 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam' - India stands forever for humanity: EAM Jaishankar to ANI when asked aboutsupport to Turkey despite differences.

Children pulled from rubble as Turkey-Syria quake toll tops 7,800

Heartrending scenes of a newborn plucked alive from the rubble and a broken father clutching his dead daughter's hand have laid bare the human cost of violent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey that by Wednesday had claimed 7,800 lives.

Turkey-Syria quake toll tops 7,800 as rescuers battle cold

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria battled bitter cold Tuesday in a race against time to find survivors under buildings flattened by an earthquake that killed more than 7,800 people.

Tremors that inflicted more suffering on a border area, already plagued by conflict, left people on the streets burning debris to try to stay warm as international aid began to arrive. (AFP)

Death toll rises above 7,100 in Turkey, Syria quake

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose above 7,100 on Tuesday, official data showed, with rescue workers still searching for trapped survivors.

Officials and medics said 5,434 people have died in Turkey and 1,712 in Syria, bringing the total to 7,146.

(AFP)

India taking a level II medical facility to Turkey to treat earthquake victims

Turkish Defence Ministry: Fire at Iskenderun port as result of earthquakes extinguished

Death toll from quake in Turkey rises to 4,544

Fourth IAF aircraft leaves for Türkiye with remaining component of field hospital, says MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

Ukraine sending 87 rescuers to Turkey after quake: Government

UAE to allocate $100 mln for earthquake relief efforts in Syria, Turkey

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan has ordered the allocation of $100 million to support earthquake relief efforts in Syria and Turkey, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday.

2 IAF planes land in quake-hit Turkiye with relief material, rescue and medical teams

India on Tuesday sent to Turkiye relief materials, a mobile hospital and specialised search and rescue teams in two C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to help the country in the wake of the devastating earthquake and multiple aftershocks that killed over 4,000 people.

Two more flights are expected to carry more relief items, including medical supplies, soon to Turkiye while another one is set to be sent to Syria which was also hit by the earthquake on Monday, people familiar with the matter said.

Several countries around the world have extended help to both countries in their rescue and recovery efforts.

"India expresses its solidarity at this challenging moment," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Millions of vulnerable refugees in Turkey-Syria quake zone

The devastating earthquake around the Turkish-Syrian border struck an area that is home to millions of refugees already battling desperate circumstances.

The United Nations said Tuesday that it was trying to reach refugees affected by the 7.8-magnitude quake, though its existing aid programmes are woefully underfunded.

"We do not know the exact number of refugees impacted and we might not for some days, but we fear the number might be significant, given the epicentre of the quake was close to areas with high concentrations of refugees," said Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesman for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

NEWS ALERT | Erdogan declares state of emergency in 10 quake-hit provinces

54,000 tents, 102,000 beds sent to quake-hit regions; 5,000 health workers dispatched to southern Turkish provinces

54,000 tents, 102,000 beds sent to earthquake-hit regions. 5,000 health workers dispatched to southern Turkish provinces, rescue operations underway, reports Turkey's Anadolu news agency citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

World powers rush to offer Turkey, Syria aid over quake

Countries around the world have mobilised rapidly to send aid and rescue workers after a massive earthquake killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

UNESCO sounds alarm over quake damage to Turkey, Syria heritage

The UN's cultural agency UNESCO said on Tuesday it was ready to provide assistance after two sites listed on its World Heritage list in Syria and Turkey sustained damage in the devastating earthquake.

Many Turkey quake victims hungry as winter hampers aid efforts

In the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, survivors of the massive quake that has wreaked death, destruction and havoc on the region face an invisible but powerful threat -- hunger.

German-Turkish community races to send money and blankets to quake victims

Turkish and Kurdish communities in Germany have launched donation drives to send money, warm clothes and blankets to victims of a devastating earthquake that tore through Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday.

Syria's Red Crescent ready to deliver aid to opposition-held areas

Syria's Red Crescent is ready to deliver relief aid to all the country's regions including opposition-held areas and is urging the United Nation to facilitate this, its head said on Tuesday.

UNICEF says quake may have killed thousands of children

The United Nations children's agency said on Tuesday that the earthquake and aftershocks that destroyed scores of buildings in Turkey and Syria may have killed thousands of children.

Karnataka govt to set up helpline to aid people from the state in Turkey

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said his government is setting up a helpline to come to the aid of people from the state, in theearthquake-hit Turkey. He said the state government is in touch with the External Affairs Ministry and Indian Embassy to gather information regarding Kannadiagas there. "We are in touch with the External Affairs Ministry, they are setting up a special help line, we are also gathering information regarding Kannadigas there through the Ministry and the Embassy in Turkey," Bommai said.

Appreciate help extended by India to Turkey within hours of earthquake, says Turkish Ambassador to India

Philippine rescue team heading to quake-hit Turkey

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday announced the country will send an 85-man team to Turkey to help search, rescue, and support victims of the devastating earthquake.

India to send medical supplies to Syria today in Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft

Quake halts UN cross-border aid to Syria, unclear when it will resume

The flow of critical United Nations aid from Turkey to northwest Syria has temporarily halted due to damage to roads and other logistical issues related to the deadly earthquake that struck the two countries on Monday, a UN spokesperson said.

Up to 23 mn people could be affected by Turkey, Syria quake: WHO

Up to 23 million people could be affected by the massive earthquake that has killed thousands in Turkey and Syria, the World Health Organization warned Tuesday. "Event overview maps show that potentially 23 million people are exposed, including around five million vulnerable populations," WHO senior emergencies officer Adelheid Marschang told the UN health agency's executive committee.

IndiGo offers free cargo movement on scheduled commercial flights using aircraft to Istanbul

The Indian aviation regulator held a meeting with Indian carriers over operating flights to Turkey for cargo movements in commercial scheduled flights. IndiGo has offered free cargo movement on its scheduled commercial flights using Boeing 777 aircraft to Istanbul.

Ghana footballer Atsu found alive in quake rubble

Ghana national player and former Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu has been found alive in the rubble of an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, Ghana's ambassador to Turkey said Tuesday.

WHO chief worried about silent areas of Turkey, Syria after quake

The head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday it was especially concerned about areas of Turkey and Syria from which no information had emerged following a major earthquake that killed thousands.

Frantic searching in Turkey, Syria after quake kills 4,983

Rescuers raced Tuesday to find survivors in the rubble of thousands of buildings brought down by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and multiple aftershocks that struck eastern Turkey and neighbouring Syria, with the discovery of more bodies raising the death toll to 4,983.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 strikes eastern Turkey region

An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck eastern Trukey on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake was at a depth of 46 km (28.58 miles), the centre added.

Dalai Lama saddened over loss of lives in Turkey, Syria

Saddened by reports of the devastating earthquakes that have struck Turkey and Syria leading to extensive loss of life and many injuries, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has written to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

RS extends condolences to earthquake victims in Turkey, Syria

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday paid condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria. Leading the house, Chairman Jagdeep Shankar said that the House wishes that those who are still under the rubbles are rescued.

Ghana forward Christian Atsu missing following Turkey earthquakes

Ghana international winger and former Chelsea player Christian Atsu has been missing and is reportedly left under the rubble caused by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.

Rescue work moves slowly as death toll climbs past 4,800

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria are braving freezing darkness, aftershocks and collapsing buildings on Tuesday, as they dig for survivors buried by a string ofearthquakesthat killed at least 4,800 people.

Death toll in Turkey alone due to earthquake rises to 3,381

Army Field Hospital dispatches 89-member medical team to earthquake-hit Turkey

101 NDRF personnel leave for quake-hit Turkey

A National Disaster Response Force team on Tuesday departed for Turkey to help in relief and rescue operations in the country where thousands have died after it was jolted by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, according to officials. A total of 101 personnel drawn from two teams based in Ghaziabad near Delhi and Kolkata along with equipment have boarded an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft to Turkey, NDRF officer told PTI.

Syrian opposition rescuers say hundreds of families still under quake rubble

Time is running out to save hundreds of families still trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings after this week's devastating earthquake, the head of the Syrian opposition-run civil defence service said on Tuesday.

Rescue operations under way in Turkey after deadly quake

China to give Turkey $6 mn in emergency aid for earthquake relief

China will give a first tranche of 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in emergency aid to help Turkey's relief efforts after this week's major earthquake, state broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday. China's Red Cross will give emergency aid of $200,000 each to Turkey and Syria, it added.

Members of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry arrive at the Adana Sakirpasa Airport following anearthquakein Adana, Turkey.Credit: Reuters Photo

S Korean President orders dispatch of rescue workers, medical supplies to quake-hit Turkey

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday ordered the government to quickly send rescue workers and medical supplies to quake-hit Turkey, his office said. Yoon's instruction came a day after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing more than 4,300 people in the two neighbouring nations.

Deadly earthquake exacerbates suffering of displaced Syrians

A steady stream of injured flowed into an overwhelmed hospital in the town of Darkush, in rebel-held northwestern Syria on Monday, after a deadly earthquake struck the region.

Another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 strikes central Turkey

Anearthquakeof 5.6 magnitude struck central Turkey on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake was at a depth of 2 km, EMSC said.

First batch of earthquake relief material leave for Turkey, along with NDRF Search & Rescue Teams: MEA

'Olive Branches'humanitarian aid delegation of Israel Defense Forcesleave Israel for Turkey. Credit: Reuters Photo

Rescuers work near rubble of building destroyed in powerful earthquake in the city of Jableh, Latakia province, Syria. Credit: IANS Photo

Death toll climbs to 4,300

Death toll due to the devastatingearthquakethat struck Turkey and Syria has increased to more than 4,300 as rescuers are racing against time to find more survivors amid heavy rain and snow in the two neighbouring nations, according to media reports. According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), there were at least 15,834 injured persons, while 7,840 people were pulled alive.

Children gather around a bonfire following an earthquake in Kahramanmaras. Credit: Reuters Photo

Iraqi soldiers, Red Crescent society workers unload trucks with aid that will be shipped on plane of emergency relief to Syria. Credit: Reuters Photo

Rescuers of International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Germany head on their way to board a charter plane, on their way to help find survivors of the deadly earthquake in Turkey, at Cologne-Bonn airport, Germany. Credit: Reuters Photo

Syrian government reports at least 1,444 dead, while the White Helmets rescue group says in rebel-held parts of the country at least 733 people have so far been killed

Death toll from 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria rises to more than 4,000: AP

Last night, an Indian Air Force C-17 left for Turkey with search & rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

Death toll rises over 3,400; governments around the world send rescue teams

White House: US rescue teams on the way to help Turkey earthquake effort

Death toll rises to over 2,700 in quake-hit Turkey, Syria

All Turkish matches called off after earthquake

All Turkish club football games have been postponed, the football federation announced in the wake of the earthquake that killed more than 2,300 in the country and Syria on Monday

"All planned competitions have been postponed to a later date," the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) tweeted.

The 7.8-magnitude early-morning quake, whose epicentre was near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, was followed by dozens of aftershocks and wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions who have fled Syria's civil war and other conflicts.

"We wish God's mercy to our citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake that has plunged our country into mourning, our condolences to their families, relatives and our nation, and a speedy recovery to our wounded," said the TFF tweet.

Three league games had been scheduled for Monday, including second-place Fenerbahce at home to Konyaspor.

The next matches are set for Friday.

Greek PM calls Turkish president to offer 'immediate' aid

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday telephoned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to offer "immediate assistance" after the deadly earthquake, his office said.

Erdogan "thanked" Mitsotakis for the support and the immediate dispatch of rescuers and supplies on board a C-130 military plane, the Greek prime minister's office said.

Biden says he authorized immediate US response to Turkey earthquake

USPresident Joe Biden on Monday said his administration has been working closely withTurkey, authorizing an immediate Washington response to the devastating earthquake there.

The earthquake killed more than 2,200 people and injured thousands more inTurkeyand northwest Syria, flattening apartment blocks and heaping more destruction on Syrian cities already devastated by years of war.

"Our teams are deploying quickly to begin to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and address the needs of those injured and displaced by the earthquake," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

Russia says 300 army personnel clearing debris in Syria

Russia said Monday that 300 military personnel deployed in Syria were helping efforts to clear up debris following an earthquake that killed hundreds there and in neighbouringTurkey.

The defence ministry said staff and 60 units of military hardware had begun "removing rubble, searching for victims and providing them with medical assistance in areas that have experience the most severe destruction".

UK deploys emergency response teams to tackle Turkey quake

The UK government said on Monday that it will immediately deploy emergency response teams toTurkeyto assist with rescue efforts in the wake of the country’s worst earthquake in decades.

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rockedTurkeyand Syria early on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people.Turkey's disaster agency said more than 1,500 people died there, while it is estimated that over 800 people were killed in Syria.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is deploying a team of search, rescue and medical experts to help on the ground following the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks.

Biden 'deeply saddened' by Turkey, Syria quake; pledges US aid

US President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and promised his country's assistance Monday after a major 7.8-magnitude earthquake hitTurkeyand Syria, killing nearly 1,800 people.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. 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 from his official account.

"Our teams are deploying quickly to begin to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and address the needs of those injured and displaced by the earthquake," he added in a statement later released by the White House.

Israel says approved aid to quake-hit Syria, Damascus denies request

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had given the go-ahead to send aid to earthquake-hit Syria, but a Damascus official swiftly denied they had requested help in the first place.

Israel "received a request from a diplomatic source for humanitarian aid to Syria, and I approved it", Netanyahu told lawmakers from his hawkish Likud party, adding the aid would be sent soon.

But a Syrian official told reporters Damascus "ridiculed and denied the allegations" that it had requested aid from Israel.

"How can Syria ask for help from an entity that has killed... Syrians for decades?" said the official.

Syria requests international aid after quake

The Syrian government on Monday urged the international community to come to its aid after more than 800 people died across the country following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in neighbouringTurkey.

"Syria appeals to member states of the United Nations... the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian" groups to support "efforts to face the devastating earthquake", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

UN General Assembly holds minute of silence after Turkey, Syria quake

The United Nations General Assembly observed a minute of silence on Monday in tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,300 people in Syria andTurkey.

"Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance. We count on the international community to help the thousands of families hit by this disaster, many of whom were already in dire need of humanitarian aid in areas where access is a challenge," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

Quake kills over 2,300 in Turkey, Syria

The most powerful earthquake to strikeTurkeyand Syria in nearly a century killed over 2,300 people on Monday, sparked frantic rescues and was felt as far away as Greenland.

The 7.8-magnitude early morning quake, followed by dozens of aftershocks, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions who have fled Syria's civil war and other conflicts.

Rescuers used heavy equipment and their bare hands to peel back rubble in search of survivors, who they could in some cases hear begging for help under the debris.

More than 800 dead in Syria after Turkey earthquake

At least 810 people were killed in Syria on Monday as buildings collapsed after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck neighbouringTurkey, state media and rescuers said.

AFP correspondents in northern Syria said terrified residents ran out of their homes after the earthquake hit before dawn near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Syrian border.

Worse than 'years of war': Syria hospital treats quake survivors

At a hospital in Syria, Osama Abdel Hamid was holding back tears as he recalled on Monday the powerful earthquake that toppled his home and killed his neighbours, along with hundreds of his compatriots.

"We were fast asleep when we felt a huge earthquake," Abdel Hamid told AFP at Al-Rahma hospital in the northwestern Idlib province, where he was being treated for a head injury.

Disaster takes over 1,900 lives; aid pouring in from across the world

Toll rises over 1,900 for quake-hit Turkey, Syria

The combined death toll has risen to over 1,900 forTurkeyand Syria after the region's strongest quake in nearly a century on Monday.

Turkey's emergency services said at least 1,121 people died in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, with another 783 confirmed fatalities in Syria, putting that toll at 1,904.

Quake kills nearly 1,800 in Turkey, Syria

The most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struckTurkeyand Syria Monday, killing nearly 1,800 people in their sleep, levelling buildings and causing tremors felt as far away as Greenland.

The 7.8-magnitude early morning quake, followed hours later by a slightly smaller one, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions who have fled the civil war in Syria and other conflicts.

Rescuers used heavy equipment and their bare hands to peel back rubble in search of survivors, who they could in some cases hear begging for help under the rubble.

"Since I live in an earthquake zone, I am used to being shaken," said Melisa Salman, a reporter in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaras.

"But that was the first time we have ever experienced anything like that," the 23-year-old told AFP.

"We thought it was the apocalypse."

Death toll in Turkey due to earthquake rises to 1,121

Putin offers condolences, assistance to Syria's Assad over earthquake

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad offered condolences for the victims of a strong earthquake that struck the country Monday and pledged to send rescue teams and assistance, Syria's presidency said.

Rescue workers search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir,Turkey. Credit: Reuters Photo.

'So scared': Fear of aftershocks in debris-strewn Turkey

Tulin Akkaya had just started to gather her thoughts after being woken by the biggest earthquake to strikeTurkeyin nearly a century when a second massive jolt sent her scrambling for safety on the street.

Buildings lay in ruins around her southeastern city of Diyarbakir -- home to many of the millions who have fled war and poverty in neighbouring Syria.

The same crescent of devastation stretched across major cities running along the two countries' border in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude pre-dawn quake.

Officials have put the combined death tell at more than 1,500.

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 1,500

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths ofTurkeyand Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,500 people.

Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.

On both sides of the border, residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside on a cold, rainy and snowy night. Buildings were reduced to piles of pancaked floors, and major aftershocks continued to rattle the region.

Greek PM pledges 'every force available' to aid Turkey

Syria hospital treating earthquake victims pleads for help

At a hospital in northwest Syria, Osama Abdel Hamid was holding back tears as he recalled on Monday the massive earthquake that toppled his home just hours earlier.

"We were fast asleep when we felt a huge earthquake," Abdel Hamid told AFP at Al-Rahma hospital in Idlib province, where he was being treated for a head injury.

The 7.8-magnitude pre-dawn quake, whose epicentre was near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, wiped out entire sections of cities inTurkeyand war-ravaged Syria, killing more than 1,200 people in their sleep.

China's Xi sends condolences to Turkey, Syria over deadly quake

China's President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Turkish and Syrian leaders on Monday after the most powerful earthquake in nearly a century hit their countries, killing more than 1,400 people.

Xi told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in separate messages he was "shocked" to learn of the disaster, and conveyed "deep condolences for the dead and sincere sympathy for their families as well as for the injured", state broadcaster CCTV reported.

People gather near a damaged site following an earthquake, in Aleppo, Syria. Credit: Reuters Photo

Turkey quake tremors felt as far away as Greenland

Tremors from the powerful earthquake that rockedTurkeyand neighbouring Syria on Monday were felt as far away as Greenland, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said.

"The large earthquakes inTurkeywere clearly registered on the seismographs in Denmark and Greenland," seismologist Tine Larsen told AFP.

Turkey's southern Adana airport is open for flights again

Death toll due to earthquake in Southern Turkey rises to 1,014, as per reports

Deadly earthquake exacerbates suffering of displaced Syrians

A steady stream of injured were flowing into an overwhelmed hospital in the town of Darkush, in rebel-held northwestern Syria on Monday, after a deadly earthquake struck the region. Mothers hovered over crying children.

Amid the chaos, one man sat with a dazed expression, his face covered with abrasions.

The man, Osama Abdul Hamid, had barely made it out alive with his wife and four children from his apartment building in the nearby village of Azmarin. Many of their neighbours were not so lucky.

Third quake hits Turkey; over 1,400 dead in disaster

New powerful quake hits southeast Turkey

Turkey's disaster management agency has reported that a new earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred close to the epicentre of Monday's previous deadly quake, which also generated dozens of aftershocks.

The US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude of the latest shock that occurred around 1024 GMT at 7.5 magnitude, with a depth of just 10 kilometres.

Shallow earthquakes cause more damage.

What we know so far

1. Ukraine says ready to send 'large group' of rescuers to Turkey
2. EU says 10 search and rescue teams mobilised for Turkey earthquake
3. Putin says Russia ready to help Syria and Turkey after major quake
4. India sends NDRF rescue teams, relief material to earthquake-hit Turkey
5. PM condoles deaths in Turkey during event in Bengaluru

Syrian rescue teams carry a casualty picked up from rubble after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the government-controlled central Syrian city of Hama. Credit: AFP Photo.

Rescuers use heavy equipment in search of survivors at the site of a collapsed building, following an earthquake, in Hama, Syria. Credit: Reuters Photo.

Turkey quake kills 912 in historic disaster, Erdogan says

At least 912 people were killed and more than 5,000 injured when a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck southernTurkeyovernight, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, calling it a historic disaster for which the death toll is likely to rise.

The quake was centred on the province of Kahramanmaras and shook southernTurkeyand northern Syria overnight. It was followed by another powerful tremor with a 7.7 magnitude in the same region at around 1025 GMT.

Erdogan said 2,818 buildings collapsed after the first tremor, describing it as the country's "largest disaster" since 1939, when a major quake struck the eastern province of Erzincan.

Iraqi Kurdistan suspends oil exports through Turkey after quake: ministry

Iraqi Kurdistan said it was suspending oil exports throughTurkeyas a precaution after a deadly earthquake rocked its northern neighbour and Syria before dawn on Monday.

"Due to the earthquake that hitTurkeyand Syria, and to ensure the safety of oil exports and prevent any undesirable incidents, oil exports through the pipeline connecting the Kurdistan region toTurkeyhave been suspended," the Kurdish ministry of natural resources said in a statement.

Turkey's southern Adana airport closed for flights

The airport in the southern Turkish province of Adana was closed for flights until further notice following major earthquakes in the area on Monday, the private Demiroren news agency said.

No further details were immediately available.

Syria's Baniyas oil refinery suspends operations following quake

Syria's Baniyas oil refinery will suspend operations for 48 hours following a deadly earthquake inTurkey, state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing an oil ministry statement.

Ukraine says ready to send 'large group' of rescuers to Turkey

Ukraine said Monday it was ready to send emergency responders toTurkeyfollowing a deadly earthquake there that also left hundreds dead in neighbouring Syria.

"Ukraine stands ready to send a large group of rescue workers toTurkeyto assist crisis response. We are working closely with the Turkish side to coordinate their deployment," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

People gather as rescuers search for survivors under the rubble, following an earthquake, in rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Credit: Reuters Photo

560 killed across Syria in pre-dawn Turkey earthquake

At least 560 people were killed across Syria after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck neighbouringTurkeybefore dawn on Monday, the government and rescue workers said.

The official news agency SANA, citing the health ministry, said at least 339 people were killed and 1,089 injured in government-controlled areas of the war-torn country. The White Helmets rescue group said at least 221 were killed and 419 injured in rebel-held areas.

Over 1,000 dead as second quake rattles Turkey; nations to send aid

Second quake of 7.5 magnitude hits Turkey

EU says 10 search and rescue teams mobilised for Turkey earthquake

The European Union on Monday said ten search and rescue teams had been mobilised in the wake of the major earthquake that has hitTurkey.

"Ten Urban Search and Rescue teams have been quickly mobilised from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania to support the first responders on the ground," EU commissioners Josep Borrell and Janez Lenarcic said in a statement.

People gather as rescuers search for survivors under the rubble, following an earthquake, in rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Credit: Reuters Photo

At least 473 dead in Syria after Turkey earthquake

At least 473 people were killed in Syria on Monday as buildings collapsed after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck neighbouringTurkey, state media and a medical source said.

AFP correspondents in northern Syria said terrified residents ran out of their homes after the earthquake hit before dawn near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Syrian border.

Death toll crosses 1000 mark in quake-hit countries; India sends NDRF rescue teams to Turkey

Israel to send aid to quake-stricken Turkey: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was preparing to send medical and rescue assistance toTurkeyfollowing Monday's earthquake that killed hundreds in the country.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near the Turkish city of Gaziantep before dawn, killing more than 900 people inTurkeyand more than 380 in neighbouring Syria.

WHO concerned about some areas of Turkey after earthquake

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday it was concerned about areas inTurkeyfrom which there had been no news following a deadly earthquake overnight.

"National authorities will be focussing on search and rescue at the moment," a WHO spokesperson told Reuters in a statement. "Then we will expect an increased need for trauma care to treat the injured and to support the entire health system in affected areas."

Union government sends search & rescue teams of NDRF, medical teams, relief material to earthquake-hit Turkey

The government on Monday decided to immediately dispatch search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force, medical teams and relief material to earthquake-hitTurkeyfollowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country.

Modi's principal secretary P K Mishra held a meeting in the South Block to discuss immediate relief measures and the decision was taken there, an official statement said.

Two teams of the NDRF comprising 100 personnel with specially trained dog squads and necessary equipment are ready to be flown to the earthquake-hit area for search and rescue operations.

Medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines, it said.

Relief material will be dispatched in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian embassy in Ankara and Consulate General office in Istanbul, it added.

The meeting was attended by cabinet secretary, representatives of ministries of home affairs, defence, external affairs, civil aviation, health and family welfare besides the NDMA and the NDRF, the statement said.

Putin says Russia ready to help Syria and Turkey after major quake

President Vladimir Putin offered Russian assistance on Monday to Syria andTurkeyafter a major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 killed more than 500 people and injured thousands in the two countries.

Russia has strong relations with both Syria andTurkey: Putin backed President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war and has a strong rapport with President Tayyip Erdogan ofTurkey, a NATO member which has sought to mediate in the Ukraine war.

"Please accept my deep condolences on the numerous human casualties and large-scale destruction caused by a powerful earthquake in your country," Putin said in his message to Erdogan.

Turkey's lira slips to fresh record low, stocks tumble

Turkey's lira hit a fresh record low and its stock markets tumbled on Monday as a major earthquake added to pressures from a strong dollar, geopolitical risks and surprise inflation readings out of the country.

The lira slipped to 18.85 in early trade before retracing most of its losses. The country's main equities benchmark dropped as much as 4.6% with banks tumbling more than 5% before paring some losses with key indexes down around 2.5% by 0910 GMT.

"The tragic events with southern part of Turkey being hit by a powerful earthquake is source of additional uncertainty ahead of crucial elections that most likely are going to be held in May," said Piotr Matys, senior FX analyst at In Touch Capital Markets.

Macron offers French aid after quake in Turkey, Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday his country stood ready to provide emergency aid to Turkey and Syria after an earthquake that killed hundreds in both countries.

"We are receiving terrible images from Turkey and Syria following an earthquake of unprecedented force," Macron tweeted.

Germany 'shocked' by quake in Turkey and Syria, will send help: Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised aid on Monday after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing hundreds of people as they slept.

"We are following the news of the earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region with shock," Scholz said on Twitter. "Germany will of course send help."

EU sends rescue teams to Turkey after deadly quake

The European Union is sending rescue teams and preparing further help for Turkey after a major earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, the bloc's crisis management commissioner said Monday.

"Teams from the Netherlands and Romania are already on their way," with the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre overseeing their deployment, commissioner Janez Lenarcic tweeted.

PM condoles deaths in Turkey during event in Bengaluru

Expressing concern and shock over the massive earthquake that hit Turkey on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India's "140 crore people are with the victims of the earthquake in Turkey".

Speaking after inaugurating the India Energy Week, PM Modi said, "We are focusing on Turkey presently which has suffered from a huge earthquake. Large number of people have lost their lives and it has caused huge losses to the country."

PM Modi further stated that the surrounding countries of Turkey also suffered heavy losses due to the impact of the earthquake. India is ready to help earthquake victims, he stated.

Turkey oil pipelines undamaged, flows continue after quake: Official

There is no damage to the Kerkuk-Ceyhan pipeline carrying oil from Iraq to Turkey, or to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and oil flows are continuing on both after a major earthquake struck Turkey, an energy official told Reuters on Monday.

The quake, of magnitude 7.8, struck southern Turkey and northwest Syria early on Monday, killing more than 500 people and injuring hundreds as buildings collapsed across the region, triggering searches for survivors in the rubble.

PM Modi offers 'all possible assistance' to Turkey

Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in rebel-held Idlib. Reuters Photo

Members of the Syrian civil defence, known as the White Helmets, search for survivors following an earthquake in Shalakh village in Idlib's eastern countryside. AFP Photo

EU, Russia, Ukraine offer help

Additional offers of help poured in from the European Union, Russia, Italy and Turkey's historic rival Greece, whose relations with Ankara have suffered from a spate of border and cultural disputes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also offered to provide "the necessary assistance" to Turkey, whose combat drones are helping Kyiv fight the Russian invasion.

Images on Turkish television showed rescuers digging through rubble across city centres and residential neighbourhoods of almost all the big cities running along the border with Syria.

Rescue ops under way; major airports inoperable

"Seven members of my family are under the debris," Muhittin Orakci, a stunned survivor in Turkey's mostly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, told AFP.

"My sister and her three children are there. And also her husband, her father-in-law and her mother-in-law."

The rescue was being hampered by a winter blizzard that covered major roads in ice and snow. Officials said the quake made three major airports in the area inoperable, further complicating deliveries of vital aid.

The quake struck at 04:17 am local time (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 17.9 kilometres (11 miles) near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around two million people, the US Geological Survey said.

Death toll from the earthquake

At least 245 people died in government-controlled parts of Syria, as well as the northern areas held by pro-Turkish factions, according to the health ministry and a local hospital.

At least 284 people also died in Turkey, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Monday, adding that more than 2,300 people had been injured and that search and rescue work was continuing in several major cities.

Major quake kills hundreds across Turkey, Syria

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early on Monday, killing hundreds of people as they slept, levelling buildings and sending tremors that were felt as far away as the island of Cyprus, Egypt and Iraq.

The head of Syria's National Earthquake Centre, Raed Ahmed, told pro-government radio that this was "historically, the biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the centre".