At least 360 people have died in a devastating earthquake in Turkey, causing massive destruction across the country.
According to reports, the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake was centered north of Gaziantep, which sits about 60 miles from the Syrian border.
The tremor reportedly lasted for a minute and was also felt in Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus.
Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, took to Twitter and said: “The U.S. is profoundly concerned by today’s destructive earthquake in Turkiye & Syria.
“I have been in touch with Turkish officials to relay that we stand ready to provide any & all needed assistance.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with Turkiye.”
Samantha Power, the head of the USAID, also wrote: “Deeply concerned about the earthquake that just struck Turkiye & Syria.
“It’s one of the most powerful to hit Turkiye in 100 yrs, and the human toll, including on already displaced Syrians, will be devastating.
“@POTUS has directed @USAID to assess how we can help those impacted.”
According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management agency, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake took the lives of people in seven provinces.
The agency said 440 were left injured.
In Syria, at least 237 have been killed and 639 were injured, with the victims mostly in Hama, Tartus, Aleppo, and Latakia.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams search for more people trapped under debris.
India’s leader, Narendra Modi, wrote on Twitter: “Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.
“India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to areas hit by the earthquake.
“We hope that we will get through this disaster together as soon as possible and with the least damage,” he wrote.
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