At least 17 people were killed in Turkey when a strong 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the country's south in the early hours of Monday, toppling buildings and sending residents running into the streets as aftershocks were felt across the region.
The quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep province at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Nurdagi is located along the Turkey-Syria border and the quake was felt in several countries across the region, including Syria and Lebanon.
The quake struck while residents were likely asleep and unprepared for the impact. Video shared on social media show dozens of collapsed buildings, while frightened residents huddled on the darkened streets amid the chaos. Rescue workers can be seen conducting search-and-rescue operations by flashlight
The governor of Sanliurfa province, Salih Ayhan, told CNN affiliate CNN Turk that at least 12 people have died in his province alone. At least 34 buildings had collapsed, according to preliminary data, Erdinç Yılmaz, governor of the southern Osmaniye province, told CNN Turk.
Strong aftershocks have been felt in southern and central Turkey. About 11 minutes after the main quake hit, the strongest aftershock of 6.7-magnitude hit about 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the main quake’s epicenter. Another intense aftershock with a magnitude of 5.6 then occurred 19 minutes after the main quake.
Journalist Eyad Kourdi, who lives in the city of Gaziantep, told CNN there were up to eight “very strong” aftershocks in under a minute after the 7.8 magnitude quake struck, causing belongings in his home to fall to the ground. Many of his neighbors had left their homes following the quake, he added.