A 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey Monday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, just hours after a temblor killed more than 1,300 people in the Turkish and Syrian parts of the region.
The earlier quake, a magnitude 7.8, hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. Thousands were injured and a frantic search was underway for survivors trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the death toll in his nation from the first quake had soared to 912.
It struck before dawn and was felt as far away as Cairo, Cyprus and Lebanon.
The area affected in Syria is divided between government and opposition forces. Turkey hosts millions of refugees from the war.
Many nations immediately offered assistance, including the United States, Germany, France, Greece and Ukraine.
”Our thoughts are with the victims and their families after the devastating earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria. Romania sends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and I wish injured people a speedy recovery, “Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said.
