LBCI

Death toll from Turkey, Syria quake set to jump

Middle East

06-02-2023 | 10:55

Share

Share

Death toll from Turkey, Syria quake set to jump

2^min

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects a significant jump in the death toll following a major earthquake and its aftershocks in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria that reduced many buildings to rubble.

The magnitude 7.8 quake, which rattled southern Turkey early on Monday, was the worst to hit the country this century, killing more than 900 people there and about 550 across the border in Syria, according to officials.

It was followed hours later by another large temblor of magnitude 7.7.

"I think we can expect the death toll to increase significantly," Rick Brennan, the WHO's regional emergency director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Reuters.

"There's been a lot of building collapses and it will increase more significantly around the epicenter of the earthquake."

Brennan said WHO was boosting its staff in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, the epicenter of the earthquake, and exploring its options to send emergency medical teams to the area. He said rescue efforts were being hampered by aftershocks from the initial quake.

"It's harder for the rescue teams to get in there to extract people," he said. "Buildings that may have sustained some damage but remain functional can then get another insult and they can collapse."

Syria, already grappling with a years-long humanitarian crisis, major economic woes and a cholera outbreak, was in a "perfect storm" in the wake of the deadly earthquake, according to Brennan.

"The convergence of all these crises is leading to enormous suffering," he said.

WHO

World

Health

Organization

Death

Toll

Rise

Turkey

Syria

Earthquake

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Two injured in Israeli airstrike on vehicle in South Lebanon's Beit Lif

2025-06-14

Two injured in Israeli airstrike on vehicle in South Lebanon's Beit Lif

UK Foreign Secretary: British embassy in Tehran reopens after temporary closure

Middle East News

2025-07-07

UK Foreign Secretary: British embassy in Tehran reopens after temporary closure

Iranian media says nuclear sites 'attacked by enemy strikes'

Middle East News

2025-06-21

Iranian media says nuclear sites 'attacked by enemy strikes'

President Aoun reaffirms state’s sole authority over arms, rejects normalization, and urges unity

2025-07-11

President Aoun reaffirms state’s sole authority over arms, rejects normalization, and urges unity

Videos

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

New chapter on Syrian refugee return: Lebanon launches first coordinated return of Syrian refugees

1

New chapter on Syrian refugee return: Lebanon launches first coordinated return of Syrian refugees

Lebanon announces new BDL Deputy Governors

2

Lebanon announces new BDL Deputy Governors

Parliament prepares immunity vote: Will political shield protect MP George Bouchikian?

3

Parliament prepares immunity vote: Will political shield protect MP George Bouchikian?

Tom Barrack says US mediating undisclosed Lebanon-Israel talks

4

Tom Barrack says US mediating undisclosed Lebanon-Israel talks

Lebanon, Syria at odds: Syrian detainees in Lebanon top priority for Damascus

5

Lebanon, Syria at odds: Syrian detainees in Lebanon top priority for Damascus

Political pressure mounts on Netanyahu as hostage talks stall and Gaza plan sparks outrage

6

Political pressure mounts on Netanyahu as hostage talks stall and Gaza plan sparks outrage

US aware of reported death of American after beating by Israeli settlers

7

US aware of reported death of American after beating by Israeli settlers

'There are no red lines anymore' says UN Palestinian rights expert on US sanctions

8

'There are no red lines anymore' says UN Palestinian rights expert on US sanctions

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More