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, 2:41 PM EST

Biden offers 'deepest condolences' to Turkey, Syria

President Joe Biden offered his thoughts and prayers on behalf of Americans following the deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria during an event in Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon.

"It's one of the worst earthquakes in that region in over 100 years and we mourn the loss of so many lives and we offer our deepest condolences," he said.

Biden also commented on the "amazing" rescue efforts underway.

"You see dads or moms pulling little babies out from underneath this rubble," he said. "So many people dying. And our thoughts are also with the survivors who've been torn apart by this tragedy."

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Feb 08, 2023, 12:50 PM EST

Turkey stock exchange suspended

Istanbul's stock exchange operator suspended trading for five days in an unprecedented step and announced that all trades that took place on Wednesday would be canceled in the wake of the earthquake.

"Due to the increase in volatility and extraordinary price movements after the earthquake disaster; in order to ensure the reliable, transparent, efficient, stable, fair and competitive functioning of the markets, Equity Market and Equity & Index Derivatives in the Derivatives Market have been closed," Borsa Istanbul, the stock exchange operator, said in a statement on Wednesday.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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