Turkey-Syria earthquake updates: Death toll climbs to over 41,000

The Feb. 6 quake was centered in Turkey's southeastern Kahramanmaras province.

ByMelissa Gaffney, Morgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: February 15, 2023, 8:35 AM EST

More than 41,000 people are dead after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria on Feb. 6, according to Turkish and Syrian officials.

The pre-dawn quake was centered in the town of Pazarcik in Turkey's southeastern Kahramanmaras province and was followed by several powerful aftershocks. Thousands of buildings were toppled on both sides of the border, and the death toll continued to rise as rescue workers searched for survivors in the massive piles of rubble.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook central Turkey early Monday and was followed by a strong aftershock.
Associated Press Staff/AP

Latest headlines:

Here's how the new is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 06, 2023, 12:12 AM EST

US 'profoundly concerned' by 'destructive earthquake' in Turkey, Syria

The United States "is profoundly concerned" by the reports of the "destructive earthquake" in Turkey and Syria, and "will continue to closely monitor the situation," U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement late Sunday night.

"We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance," Sullivan added, noting that U.S. President Joe Biden "has directed USAID and other federal government partners to assess U.S. response options to help those most affected."

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake in Turkey at magnitude of 7.8.

-ABC News' Lauren Minore

Feb 06, 2023, 12:05 AM EST

At least 175 people killed in Turkey and Syria, officials say

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said Monday's earthquake has killed at least 76 people in seven cities.

People walk next to a mosque destroyed by an earthquake in Malatya, Turkey, Feb. 6, 2023.
AP

Meanwhile, at least 99 were killed in three Syrian cities, according to Syria's Ministry of Health.

A man stands near a damaged vehicle, following an earthquake, in rebel-held Azaz, Syria, Feb. 6, 2023.
Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck the the town of Pazarcik in Turkey's southeastern Kahramanmaras province at 4:17 a.m. local time and was followed by at least 17 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 6.6.

The quake was felt intensely in several surrounding provinces, prompting AFAD to declare a "level 4 alarm," which calls for international assistance.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Feb 06, 2023, 12:03 AM EST

At least 42 dead in Syria from quake in neighboring Turkey, authorities say

Syria's Ministry of Health said Monday that at least 42 people were killed in the northwestern cities of Aleppo, Hama and Lattakia, following a pre-dawn earthquake in neighboring Turkey.

Syrian rescuers and civilians search for victims and survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake, in the rebel-held northern countryside of Syria's Idlib province on the border with Turkey, Feb. 6, 2023.
Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images

The Syrian civil defense and medical group that operates in opposition-held areas, known as the White Helmets, has declared a state of emergency in the country's northwest

People are "trapped under the rubble," the White Helmets said, adding that it "calls on residents to evacuate residential buildings, go to open places far from buildings, and inform our teams about those trapped under the rubble."

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Feb 05, 2023, 11:47 PM EST

Dozens of buildings collapse in southeastern Turkey, at least 17 dead

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said Monday that a pre-dawn earthquake was felt in at least nine cities and was centered in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, about 20 miles from the major city of Gaziantep.

Rescue teams try to reach trapped residents inside collapsed buildings in Adana, Turkey, Feb. 6, 2023.
AP

In Osmaniye, the city governor said 34 buildings had collapsed and at least five people had died.

Meanwhile, the governor's office in Urfa said 12 people were dead and 18 buildings had collapsed.

-ABC News' Engin Bas