Powerful quake kills over 1,800 in Syria and Turkey

UPDATE: More than 4,000 people are confirmed dead following the early morning quake in Turkey and Syria.

(CMR) More than 1,800 people have been killed, and thousands of others injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early on Monday, 6 February.

According to CNN, the quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey's Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers, the US Geological Survey said.

The majority of the deaths have been reported in Turkey, with the death toll at 1,121.

Multiple strong aftershocks were felt hours after the first quake, including a severe quake measuring magnitude 7.5.

Turkey's disaster agency is appealing for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations.

The United Kingdom will send search and rescue specialists and an emergency medical team to Turkey Monday evening. The British foreign ministry said 76 search and rescue specialists will arrive in Turkey on Monday evening along with four search dogs and rescue equipment.

“We stand ready to provide further support as needed,” James Cleverly, the UK’s foreign secretary, said in a statement.

The US has also pledged its support to help both countries.