In Pics: Deadly Quake Destroys Buildings, Traps Several In Turkey, Syria

A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed over 300 people in Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday. Strong tremors were also felt in in Cyprus, Lebanon and Syria where several buildings collapsed triggering a search for survivors under the rubble.

The death count is expected to rise as the quake struck at 04:17 am local time while most people were still at home asleep.

A 6.7-magnitude aftershock struck Turkey 15 minutes after the strong quake

The earthquake levelled dozens of buildings across major cities of Turkey and Syria

The death count is expected to rise as rescuers are digging through the rubble of buildings

Syria's National Earthquake Centre said this was "the biggest earthquake recorded by it"

The injured were quickly rushed to emergency wards of  local hospitals.