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 08, 2023, 9:16 AM EST

Over 600 aftershocks since Monday’s quake

Since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey before dawn on Monday, there have been a total of at least 648 aftershocks in the region.

-ABC News’ Engin Bas

Feb 08, 2023, 8:46 AM EST

Video shows dramatic rescue of newborn baby

Video has emerged showing the moment a newborn baby was rescued from the earthquake wreckage in northwestern Syria on Tuesday.

A baby girl born during an earthquake is rescued in Jinderis, Syria, on Feb 7, 2023.
AP

The infant, whose mother appeared to have given birth to her while buried beneath rubble, was reportedly found alive in the ruins of her home in the town of Jindires, about 35 miles northwest of Aleppo. The baby’s umbilical cord was still connected to her mother, who was found dead, according to The Associated Press.

The footage shows a rescuer carrying the infant after she was pulled from the piles of debris. The baby was subsequently transported to a hospital. She is the only known member of her immediate family to survive the disaster, AP reported.

A baby girl whose mother appears to have given birth to her while buried underneath rubble was rescued in Syria.
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Baby born in earthquake rubble in Syria

A baby girl whose mother appears to have given birth to her while buried underneath rubble was rescued in Syria.
ABCNews.com

Feb 07, 2023, 10:42 PM EST

CENTCOM prepares to support quake relief efforts

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that it is prepared to support the earthquake relief efforts.

CENTCOM said it’s working with U.S. European Command to work through options to send support to the hard-hit country.

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez

Feb 07, 2023, 10:31 PM EST

70 countries, 14 international organizations offer aid to Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that approximately 70 countries and 14 international organizations have offered aid to Turkey.

The United Nations announced a $25 million grant from the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund to help "provide urgent life-saving assistance in the region," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the secretary-general of the United Nations, said Tuesday.

The U.S. is sending two American urban search and rescue teams with 170,000 pounds of specialized tools and equipment to impacted regions in Turkey.

According to the E.U., 19 member countries, including Croatia, Estonia, France, Spain and Greece, have offered support to Turkey.

Greece sent a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, along with a structural engineer, five doctors and seismic planning experts in a military transport plane to Turkey, according to The Associated Press.

Israel sent the IDF Medical and a delegation from the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Health to southern Turkey on Wednesday to create a "field hospital" and provide additional support.

According to the Russian news service Interfax, Russia sent rescue teams from the Emergency Ministry to help with cleanup efforts in Syria on Tuesday.

China will provide $6 million in aid to Turkey, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. The country will also deploy "heavy urban rescue teams and medical teams" to provide "relief materials urgently needed" by the Turkish.

Mexico sent rescue teams to Turkey to assist with humanitarian recovery efforts from the earthquake, including 16 of their search and rescue dogs.

-ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman, Jordana Miller, Shannon Crawford, Christine Theodorou, Natalia Shumskaia, Anastasia Bagaeva and Emma Ogao