Turkey-Syria Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 3,600

According to officials, the latest figures from Monday’s earthquake in Turkey and Syria have killed over 3,600 people. This is a substantial increase on the previous one. 2,300 figure reported hours before.

At least 2,316 people were killed in Turkey, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported, According to The Washington Post. According to the agency, at least 13,000 people were also injured and 3,471 buildings fell. In Syria, however, authorities reported that at least 1,350 people had been killed and 3,411 others had been injured. per NBC News.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that the magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck at 4:37 a.m., local time. Authorities reported that aftershocks were heard in dozens of places. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck 60 miles away, hours later. https://t.co/EXzuBKjsXR pic.twitter.com/vwZyD8hlX8

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 6, 2023

The earthquake, an estimated magnitude 7.8 event that hit before dawn, has been followed by a number of aftershocks. Rescue crews were sent to dig through the rubble of destroyed buildings looking for survivors or bodies of the dead.

Map locating the areas affected by 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria#AFPgraphics @AFP pic.twitter.com/0J7uBe1zNO

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 6, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared seven days of national mourning, saying this was the worst disaster since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake that killed more than 30,000 people, USA Today reported. Officials warned that the death toll for this latest earthquake may get higher as searches continue.

(Photo by Esber Ayaydin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The region is situated on major fault lines. In the area affected by the earthquake, the dire situation is compounded by the presence of millions of refugees displaced by years-long civil war in Syria who were taking refuge on both sides of Turkey and Syria’s border.

Leaders from around the world pledged to send assistance to help beleaguered local officials.

(Photo by Hakan Burak Altunoz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

“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,” said President Joe Biden.

“My heart goes out to the people of [Turkey] and Syria in this hour of tragedy” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance.”