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Rabat – The deadly earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes that struck southern Turkiye and northern Syria has killed at least 1,300 people.
The earthquake which hit the two countries early in the morning today killed at least 912 people in Turkiye, and claimed 560 lives in Syria.
Over 1,700 buildings across 10 Turkish cities were damaged following the quake.
Search and rescue teams have been dispatched around the affected areas, where people are believed to remain trapped beneath the rubble as the race to rescue people continues.
Thousands of people also sustained injuries due to the earthquake.
Many countries have extended their condolences to the two countries at this tragic time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his “most sincere condolences” to his counterparts in the two countries.
“We share the sorrow and pain of those who lost their relatives and loved ones,” he said.
Oman also expressed its sympathy with the two countries, extending its sincere condolences and solidarity for the families of the victims.
Egypt also offered its heartfelt sympathy to the two countries following the devastating earthquake and wished those left injured a speedy recovery.
Algeria echoed the same sentiment, by offering its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and the Syrian, and Turkish governments.
“Unfortunately the death toll is likely to climb quickly. A similar magnitude earthquake that hit Izmit in Turkey in 1999 killed more than 17,000 people and left more than a quarter of a million homeless,” the Guardian quoted expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University Steve Godby.
The expert recalled the images showing buildings and houses affected by the earthquake, stressing that “early images show the pancake collapse of several buildings in the affected area and these are associated with significant loss of life – typically 30% of those in these kinds of collapse lose their lives.”
