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The most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, killing over 1,200 people in their sleep, levelling buildings and causing tremors felt as far away as Iraq. At least 326 people died in government-controlled parts of Syria while 912 people died in Turkey.
Another 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey this evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Details of casualties in the second earthquake are yet to come in. The second shallow quake hit at 1:24 pm local time, 4 km south-southeast of the town of Ekinozu.
Here are the LIVE Updates on the Turkey Earthquake:
Combined Death Count Rises To More Than 2,300 For Turkey And Syria
The combined death count rose to more than 2,300 for Turkey and Syria on Monday from the region's strongest earthquake in nearly a century.
Turkey's emergency services said at least 1,498 people had died in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, with another 810 confirmed fatalities in neighbouring Syria, putting the total at 2,308.
Israel PM Approves Request To Provide Aid To Earthquake-Hit Syria
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had given the go-ahead to send aid to earthquake-hit Syria, after receiving a request through diplomatic channels as the neighbours have no official relations.
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.
Syria's government does not recognise Israel and the countries have fought several wars since Israel's creation in 1948.
Netanyahu's office declined to provide further details on the source of the request to help Syria, where hundreds of people were killed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake Monday in neighbouring Turkey.
"Deeply Saddened By Loss Of Life And Devastation": Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and promised his country's assistance Monday after a major 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and 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.
Third Earthquake Of 6.0 Magnitude Hits Turkey
A third earthquake of 6.0 magnitude has hit Turkey, after 2 powerful quakes. The second earthquake, which came in the afternoon, had a magnitude of 7.5.
Over 1,400 people have been killed in Turkey and Syria in the region's 'most powerful earthquake in this century'.
Updated Death Count: 783 Killed In Syria After Powerful Earthquake
At least 783 people were killed Monday across Syria following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that had its epicentre in southwestern Turkey, the government and rescuers said.
The Syrian health ministry said the death toll rose to "1,284 injured and 403 dead in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Tartus" -- all government-controlled areas.
Deeply Saddened By Earthquake In Turkey, Syria: Pope Francis
The Vatican said Monday that Pope Francis was "deeply saddened" by a major earthquake in Turkey and Syria that has killed more than 1,600 people.
"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the huge loss of life caused by the earthquake... he sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected," wrote the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a statement.
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.
Netanyahu Says Syria Requests Quake Relief, Israel Ready To Send It
Israel said on Monday that it had received a Syrian request for assistance with earthquake relief for the Arab state and that it was prepared to oblige, in what would be rare cooperation between the enemy neighbours.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech he had ordered Israeli aid sent to Turkey, the epicentre of Monday's earthquake, and that "since a request was also received to do this for many victims of the earthquake in Syria, I instructed to do this as well".
Asked who had made the request regarding Syria cited by Netanyahu, an Israeli official told Reuters: "The Syrians". Asked if this referred to opposition members or to President Bashar al-Assad's government, the official said only: "Syria".
Over 10 Search And Rescue Teams Mobilised To Turkey After Quake: European Union
More than 10 search and rescue teams from the EU have been mobilised in the wake of the major earthquake that has hit Turkey, a spokesperson for the European Commission told reporters on Monday.
"Urban Search and Rescue teams have been quickly mobilised from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania to support the first responders on the ground," the European Commission said in a statement. Italy, Spain and Slovakia have offered their rescue teams to Turkey as well.
Putin Offers Condolences, Aid To Turkey, Syria After Devastating Quake
President Vladimir Putin on Monday expressed condolences and offered Russian aid to Turkey and Syria after the earthquake that killed hundreds of people in both countries, the Kremlin said.
"We share the sadness and the pain of those who lost their loved ones and we hope for a speedy recovery for all the injured, and are ready to provide the assistance needed to overcome the impact of this natural disaster," Putin said in a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
Tremors From Powerful Quake In Turkey Felt As Far Away As GreenlandTremors from the powerful earthquake that rocked Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday were felt as far away as Greenland, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said.
Over 5,000 Injured In Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake In Turkey
The most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, killing over 1,400 people in their sleep, levelling buildings and causing tremors felt as far away as Greenland.
More than 600 people were killed and thousands injured, after a major earthquake of magnitude 7.9 struck central Turkey and northwest Syria, collapsing buildings and triggering searches for survivors in the rubble https://t.co/RijEGQ1vti pic.twitter.com/Swc7wFj3V0
- Reuters (@Reuters) February 6, 2023
Ukraine Says Ready To Send "Large Group" Of Rescuers To Turkey
Ukraine said Monday it was ready to send emergency responders to Turkey following a deadly earthquake there that also left hundreds dead in neighbouring Syria.
"Ukraine stands ready to send a large group of rescue workers to Turkey to assist crisis response. We are working closely with the Turkish side to coordinate their deployment," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.
"France Is Ready": President Macron Offers Aid To Turkey, Syria After Quake
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.
"France is ready to provide emergency relief to the populations on the ground. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families," said the French president, whose relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have often been strained. Read here.
Massive Quake Wipes Out Entire Sections of Major Turkish Cities
My sympathies to the people of Turkey who suffered in the horrible earthquake. It is a devastating tragedy. pic.twitter.com/Dn7ErruNfx
- Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 6, 2023
India Ready To Help: PM Modi After Earthquake In Turkey Kills Hundreds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India is ready to provide all possible help to the earthquake-affected people in Turkey. PM Modi was addressing the people at the India Energy Week 2023 event, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
While addressing the people, PM Modi said, "We are all looking at the destructive earthquake that hit Turkey. There are reports of the deaths of several people as well as damage. Damages are suspected even in countries near Turkey. The sympathies of the 140 crore people of India are with all earthquake-affected people."
In Pics: Deadly Quake Destroys Buildings, Traps Several In Turkey, SyriaThe death count is expected to rise as the quake struck at 04:17 am local time while most people were still at home asleep.
New 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southeast Turkey
A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey Monday afternoon, the US Geological Survey said, hours after an earlier quake killed more than 1,200 people in the region. The shallow quake hit at 1:24 pm (1024 GMT) four kilometres (2.5 miles) south-southeast of the town of Ekinozu.
