A magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit southeast Turkey on Monday afternoon, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, hours after another quake killed nearly 1,500 people in the region.

The tremor was recorded at 13:24 (7:24 GMT) 4 km southeast of the city of Ekinoso. According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s new preliminary balance sheet, the quake has killed 912 people and injured at least 5,385 people.

Police search for survivors in the ruins of Monday (6) earthquake in Syria – Photo: Luay Bechara / AFP/ND

The president added that about 2,818 buildings collapsed as a result of the quake, suggesting that the death toll could be even higher.

earthquake in syria

At least 560 people have died in Syria as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit neighboring Turkey on Monday (6), according to government reports and rescue teams in the rebel zone.

The official SANA agency, citing the Ministry of Health, reported at least 339 dead and 1,089 injured in government-controlled areas in the war-torn country.

The White Helmets, which operate in rebel-controlled areas of Syria, said at least 221 people were killed and 419 injured in those areas.