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

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

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, 7:02 AM EST

7.5 magnitude aftershock hits Turkey

Several hours after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey early Monday, a powerful aftershock measuring 7.5 hit the country’s Kahramanmaras province around 1:30 p.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Feb 06, 2023, 5:42 AM EST

Death toll jumps to over 1,200 in Turkey, Syria

Monday’s earthquake has killed at least 912 people in several Turkish provinces and injured 5,382 others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced during a press conference.

Thousands of buildings were destroyed, Erdogan said.

Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency, AFAD, is deploying 1,898 search and rescue workers along with 150 vehicles in response to the deadly earthquake. Turkey’s national police force has deployed 130 tactical unit members with mobile command centers and kitchens to the city of Kahramanmaras, near the quake’s epicenter. A total of 300,000 blankets were also sent to the region, which is deep in winter weather.

Rescuers carry out a person from a collapsed building after an earthquake in Malatya, Turkey, Feb. 6, 2023.
Ihlas News Agency (iha)/Reuters

Meanwhile, at least 239 people were killed and some 600 were injured in government-held areas of Syria, according to Syrian state media. In rebel-controlled areas, at least 147 people were killed, according to the Syrian civil defense and medical group that operates in opposition-held areas, known as the White Helmets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a United Kingdom-based monitoring group, put the overall death toll at 320.

Rescue workers carry a boy they recovered from the rubbles of a building after an earthquake in Dana, rebel-held Idlib, Feb. 6, 2023.
Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images

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