Death toll from deadly Syria, Turkey earthquake nears 5,000

The death toll from the deadly earthquake that has hit Turkey and Syria is now expected to climb over 5,000. According to a report by the CNN, at least 4,900 deaths have now been confirmed in Turkey and Syria.

This is after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the region early on Monday.

Turkey’s death toll rose to at least 3,381 as of around 9:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Orhan Tatar, an official with the country’s disaster management agency, was quoted by the CNN.

The global media house further reports that at least 20,426 injuries have also been reported.

So far, 11,000 buildings have been reported damaged in Turkey, CNN quoted Tatar. Nearly 25,000 emergency responders are working at scenes impacted.

He added that rescuers are using at least 10 ships and 54 aircraft to transport the wounded and help with search operations.

In Syria, the CNN reported, death toll has risen to 1,509 across areas controlled by the government and by the opposition. At least 3,548 people have also been reported injured in Syria.

“The 7.8-magnitude Syria, Turkey earthquake hit just after 4 a.m. local time Monday, sending tremors hundreds of miles and creating disaster zones on both sides of the Turkey-Syria border,” CNN reports.

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“Aftershocks continue to shake the region, creating treacherous conditions for rescuers and survivors – dramatic video shows buildings collapsing hours after the initial quake, sending dust piles into the air as people run away screaming.”

At least 5,606 structures crumbled during the quake and in the hours after, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) said. Iskenderun State Hospital in the city of the same name was among them, Koca, the health minister said.