Powerful tremors continue to hit both countries, compounding the death and devastation
On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake struck in southern Türkiye, causing significant destruction across the country and in neighboring Syria. Over a thousand people were reported killed, as buildings collapsed and infrastructure was damaged on both sides of the border.
Here is what is known about the disaster so far.
Worst in decades
The quake was detected at 4:17am (0117 GMT), according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). It was centered in the Pazarcik district in the southern province of Kahramanmaras at a depth of 7 kilometers.
The earthquake was felt across the region, with tremors noted by people as far as Baghdad, Iraq, and Beirut, Lebanon, hundreds of kilometers away.
Hundreds killed, thousands injured
Türkiye is located in a seismically active part of the world, but Monday’s quake was one of the strongest in its history, with more than 1,000 people killed, according to Turkish authorities.
The wave of destruction swept through 10 Turkish provinces, including Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis.
Crucial infrastructure damaged
In both Türkiye and Syria, the quake caused damage to key infrastructure. In the Turkish Kilis Province, natural gas pipelines ruptured, with the fuel bursting into large plumes of flame, according to footage circulating online. Operator BOTAS said it cut the flow, but pressurized gas in the pipeline continued to feed the fires.
The Syrian government also ordered all trains to be stopped as a precaution following the earthquake.
National heritage at risk
The Gaziantep Castle, a hilltop fort located in the center of the city of Gaziantep was heavily damaged by the quake, according to Turkish media. The structure dates to the second and third centuries, though it was repeatedly renovated over the course of history, and is considered the symbol of the city.
In Syria, the quake reportedly caused a crack to appear in the Citadel of Aleppo, a UNESCO heritage site located in Aleppo’s old city. Houmam Saad, who heads the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums in the Culture Ministry, told media that a team had been dispatched to assess the scale of the damage.
International assistance
Many nations, including Azerbaijan, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Russia, Serbia, Spain, the UK and the US, have offered their assistance in responding to the disaster.
READ MORE: Moscow offers condolences and aid to quake-stricken nations
The Russian Emergencies Ministry said it put two transport planes and some 100 highly-skilled rescue workers on alert for possible deployment to the disaster area.
