Earthquake of 7.8 Magnitude Hits Turkey; At Least 15 Killed

A powerful earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit Turkey on Monday. At least 15 people were killed and several buildings collapsed because of this massive earthquake. Tremors of this quake were also felt in Syria, Lebanon, and Cyprus. As per reports, some buildings were damaged in Aleppo in northern Syria.

According to the US Geological Survey, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck southern Turkey in the wee hours of Monday, followed by another strong temblor of magnitude 6.7. The initial quake was centered 26 km east of Nurdagi city in the Gaziantep province, at a depth of 17.9 km. The second one struck minutes later in central Turkey, at a depth of 9.9 km.

The head of the Turkish Red Cross said it was mobilising resources for the region as it had received information of serious damage and collapsed buildings.

People in the Syrian capital of Damascus, as well as in the Lebanese cities of Beirut and Tripoli felt intense tremors and ran outside in fear.