Powerful earthquakes in Turkey, Syria kill more than 4000 people

A major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 and its powerful aftershocks have killed over 4000 people and injured thousands in Turkey and Syria as buildings collapsed.

The initial earthquake hit near Turkish city in the morning on Monday, as people were sleeping and it was also felt as far as Cyprus, Egypt and Lebanon.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the death toll in the country has risen to 1,014.

Authorities have declared a “level 4 alarm” that calls for international assistance.

A second earthquake followed a few hours later amid several aftershocks, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said.