The death toll from the earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday exceeded 7,000, CNN reported on Tuesday evening. Weather conditions further threaten the survivors and complicate rescue efforts.
Authorities in both countries also say that the number of injured is in the tens of thousands. Thousands of residential buildings were completely destroyed.
Aid institutions are particularly concerned about northwestern Syria, where more than 4 million people have already relied on humanitarian aid for their lives, CNN reported.
Frost and aftershocks
Freezing weather conditions further threaten the survivors and complicate rescue efforts. More than 100 aftershocks hit the region.
Earthquake in Turkey and SyriaPAP
The epicenter of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the area in more than 100 years was located 23 km east of Nurdaga in Turkey’s Gaziantep province at a depth of 24.1 km, the US Geological Survey said.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/SEDAT SUNA