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.
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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
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.
Meanwhile, at least 99 were killed in three Syrian cities, according to Syria's Ministry of Health.
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
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.
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
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.
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
UK deploys emergency response teams to Turkey
The United Kingdom announced Monday it is “immediately” deploying emergency response teams to Turkey to assist rescue efforts following a deadly earthquake and powerful aftershocks.
According to a press release from the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, 76 U.K. search and rescue specialists, four search dogs as well as rescue equipment will arrive in Turkey on Monday evening. A U.K. emergency medical team is also being sent to assess the situation on the ground.
“We stand ready to provide further support as needed,” U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.
In northwestern Syria, where the quake was also felt, the U.K.-aid funded volunteer organization White Helmets has activated a significant search and rescue response and mobilized all its resources to respond to emerging needs. The U.K. government is in contact with the United Nations on emergency humanitarian support to those affected in Syria, according to the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
“The British Embassy in Ankara is in close contact with the Turkish authorities to understand how we can best support those on the ground,” Jill Morris, British Ambassador-Designate to Türkiye said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes today We pay tribute to the brave Turkish first responders working to save lives.”
The U.K. government’s announcement came on the heels of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) declaring a “level 4 alarm” in the wake of the pre-dawn earthquake, calling for international assistance.