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

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Here's how the new is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 06, 2023, 12:40 PM EST

Death toll nears 2,500

At least 2,494 people have died in Turkey and Syria.

A man looks on at search and rescue operations conducted in the rubble of a collasped building, in Diyarbakir, Feb. 6, 2023, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's south-east.
Ilyas Akengin/AFP via Getty Images

The death toll in Turkey has climbed to 1,651 across 10 Turkish provinces, according to the Turkish Emergency Management Agency.

In Syria, at least 843 people have been killed in three cities, according to the Syrian Health Ministry.

PHOTO: This aerial view shows residents searching for victims and survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings following an earthquake in the village of Besnia near the twon of Harim, in Syria's Idlib province on the border with Turkey, Feb. 6, 2022
Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images

Feb 06, 2023, 11:34 AM EST

No casualties on US base

There are no known casualties among U.S. personnel assigned to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and no major damage to facilities, a base spokesperson told ABC News.

The base is roughly 125 miles from the earthquake's epicenter.

The 39th Air Base Wing at Incirlik "is still mission operational," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Air Force is prepared to assist Turkey if called upon, according to the spokesperson.

-ABC News’ Matt Seyler

Feb 06, 2023, 11:03 AM EST

More than 4,200 buildings destroyed

More than 2,800 buildings across Turkey have been completely destroyed, according to Turkey’s Emergency Management Agency, while over 1,400 buildings were demolished in Syria, according the Syrian Civil Defense Agency.

Emergency team members search for people in a destroyed building in Adana, Turkey, Feb. 6, 2023.
Khalil Hamra/AP

At least 45 nations have pledged to send volunteers and other aid to Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Feb 06, 2023, 9:54 AM EST

Biden 'deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation'

President Joe Biden tweeted that he’s “deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation” from the earthquake.

“I have directed my team to continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye and provide any and all needed assistance," he tweeted.