76 dead 440 injuries after magnitude 7.4 quake rocks southeastern Türkiye

At least 76 people died Monday in Türkiye when a major 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the southeast of the country, local officials said.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck just after 4 a.m. Monday morning local time, 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Nurdagi is located along the Turkey-Syria border, and the quake was felt in several countries across the region, including Syria and Lebanon.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and the strong earthquake originated in the southern province of Kahramanmaraş.

The quake occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).

It was followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake that struck southeastern Gaziantep province.

A third earthquake with a 6.5 magnitude also hit Gaziantep.

The initial earthquake was also felt in other southeastern provinces including Diyarbakır and neighboring countries including Lebanon and Syria.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took to Twitter to convey get-well wishes to citizens affected by the initial earthquake.

He added that AFAD and other units are “on alert.”

He noted that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the province affected by the earthquake.

Diyarbakir province reported at least 6 deaths and 79 injuries.

The initial quake was also felt in neighbouring countries of Lebanon and Syria.

At least 42 deaths were reported in Syria, according to the country’s state news agency. There is no information yet on casualties in Lebanon.

The quake struck before daybreak on Monday, when residents were likely asleep and unprepared for the impact. Video from Türkiye shared on social media showed dozens of collapsed buildings, while frightened residents huddled on the darkened streets amid the chaos. Rescue workers can be seen conducting search-and-rescue operations by flashlight.