Devastating earthquake hits Türkiye (VIDEOS)

Dozens of buildings collapsed, burying people under the rubble

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Türkiye early on Monday morning, followed by several powerful aftershocks that were felt across the region. The jolts caused widespread destruction, knocking down multiple residential buildings, according to disturbing footage captured by survivors.

The most powerful jolt, measured at 7.8 by the USGS and 7.4 by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, happened around 4:17am local time, and was centered 33km northeast of Gaziantep, a major provincial capital with a population of over 2 million people.

There was no immediate estimate of total casualties, but according to Turkish media reports, scores are feared killed, as dozens of buildings were damaged or destroyed across ten provinces, including Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Osmaniye, and Malatya, where residents are reportedly trapped under rubble.

READ MORE: Death toll rises after disastrous quake in Türkiye

• 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m.
• Occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles)
• 5 people killed, 34 buildings destroyed in southern Osmaniye province

Powerful earthquake jolts Türkiye’s southeastern provinces https://t.co/QyDg058lv4 pic.twitter.com/4xllIA4Mt0

— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) February 6, 2023

The Turkish authorities declared the highest level of emergency, with all rescue services and first responders mobilized to aid the affected provinces, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.