A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, killing more than 2,000 people and taking down buildings.
The earthquake prompted a search for survivors in the rubble in cities and towns across the region. The death toll is expected to rise.
Residents in both countries were awakened by the quake several hours before dawn and rushed outside to cold, rain and snow. Dozens of buildings in cities in the area were toppled.
Rescue workers and residents searched for survivors under the rubble of destroyed buildings in multiple cities in both countries.At least 11 people were killed in the town of Atmeh, and many more were buried in the rubble, according to a doctor in the town, Muheeb Qaddour.
“We fear that the deaths are in the hundreds,” Qaddour said of the rebel-held northwest. “We are under extreme pressure.”
The quake could be felt as far away as Cairo. It was centered about 60 miles from the Syrian border.
