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An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 rocked Turkey on Monday (6/2/2023) morning. Hundreds of people died in Turkey and Syria as a result of this massive earthquake. Photo/Anadolu Agency
ANKARA – The number of victims killed as a result earthquake magnitude 7.8 centered in Turkey, Monday (6/2/2023), has jumped dramatically. In Turkey, 76 people died, while in Syria 237 people died.
Data on the death toll in Syria was announced by the local Ministry of Health. Assistant Health Minister Ahmed Dhamiriyeh said that apart from the 237 people who died, around 639 others were injured.
The areas of Syria affected by the quake are divided between those controlled by the government and those controlled by the opposition or rebels.
Also read: Breaking News: Powerful Earthquake Magnitude 7.8 Shakes Turkey
In rebel-held northwestern Syria, the Syrian Civil Defense group described the situation as “catastrophic” adding that entire buildings had collapsed and people were trapped under the rubble.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said initial reports from quake-hit areas in the southeast of the country indicated that at least 76 people had died.
It also said an additional 440 people were injured.
In a statement issued by Anadolu Agency, state-run media, AFAD noted the affected areas were Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay and Kilis.
According to AFAD, there were 42 aftershocks recorded after Monday’s quake.
The organization has declared an “alarm level 4” and requested international assistance.
AFAD recorded the strength of the earthquake was magnitude 7.4. However, the United States Geological Service (USGS) recorded the strength at magnitude 7.8.
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