A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Gaziantep in southern Turkey on Monday morning, killing five people and leaving a trail of destruction.
A news agency quoted Sanliurfa mayor as saying that five people were killed and 16 buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The earthquake shook 7 km from Nurdagi/Gaziantep at 6.47 am on Monday (6 February). According to the US Geological Survey, it was centered at a depth of 18 kilometers (11 mi). Later there was an earthquake of magnitude 6.7. The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 33 kilometers (20 mi) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was about 26 kilometers (16 mi) from the town of Nurdagi.
According to the US Geological Survey, it was centered at a depth of 18 kilometers (11 mi). About 10 minutes later, a strong earthquake of 6.7 magnitude occurred.
Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the United Kingdom, Iraq and Georgia were the affected countries.
Details about possible damage or casualties from the quake that struck early Monday were not immediately available.
Reports said it was felt in several provinces in the region and several buildings collapsed.
Turkey’s disaster and emergency management agency, AFAD, said the quake measured 7.4 and was centered in the city of Pajarsik in Kahramanmaras province.
Haberturk television reported that several buildings collapsed in the neighboring provinces of Malatya, Diyarbakır and Malatya.
There was no immediate report on casualties.
Turkey lies on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Syrian state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama.
According to the opposition Syrian Civil Defence, several buildings collapsed in rebel-held Syria bordering Turkey in the northwest.
There was no immediate word about casualties. Buildings shook in Beirut and Damascus, and many people took to the streets in fear.
The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 33 kilometers (20 mi) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was about 26 kilometers (16 mi) from the town of Nurdagi.
According to the US Geological Survey, it was centered at a depth of 18 kilometers (11 mi). About 10 minutes later, a strong earthquake of 6.7 magnitude occurred.