Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, more than 500 deaths

A second strong earthquake struck Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, just hours after a strong tremor shook the region, killing more than 1,400 people and destroying thousands of buildings, Turkish and Syrian officials said.

The first earthquake occurred at 4:17 a.m. amid a winter storm and killed at least 900 people in southern Turkey, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and local media, in addition to nearly 5,400 injured and more than 2,800 collapsed buildings. Search teams had rescued nearly 2,500 people caught under the rubble.

The quake was felt across a vast region with multiple aftershocks. The affected area is home to millions of Turkish citizens, displaced Syrians, and refugees. The event was also felt in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities.

Turkish state television showed images of collapsed buildings and rescue workers searching for people after the quake.

“Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the affected areas. Our Interior and Health Ministries, AFAD, Governors’ Offices, and all other institutions have started working quickly,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on his Twitter account.