Over 63,000 Dead After Powerful Quake In Turkey, Syria

IThe most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struck Turkey and Syria, killing over 46,000 people in their sleep, levelling buildings and causing tremors felt as far away as Iraq.

The 7.8-magnitude quake wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a restless region filled with millions of people who have fled the civil war in Syria and other conflicts.

The head of Syria’s National Earthquake Centre, Raed Ahmed, told pro-government radio that this was “the biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the centre”.

At least 37674 people died in government-controlled parts of Turkey, according to the latest count.

At least 8377 people also died in Syria.

Shocked survivors in Turkey rushed out into the snow-covered streets in their pyjamas, watching rescuers dig through the debris of damaged homes with their hands.