People gather amid the rubble as the search for survivors continues, in the aftermath of the earthquake, in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 7, 2023. (Credit: Firas Makdesi/Reuters)
BEIRUT — At least 1,602 people were killed and thousands injured in Syria following a number of deadly earthquakes and aftershocks in neighboring Turkey, authorities and rescuers said on Tuesday.
State news agency SANA said at least 812 people were killed and 1,449 people injured in the government-held provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Idlib and Tartus.
At least 790 people were killed in Syria's opposition-held northwest and 2,200 injured with the toll expected to "rise dramatically," the White Helmets rescue team said.
A magnitude 7.8 quake hit Turkey and neighboring Syria early on Monday, toppling thousands of buildings including many apartment blocks, wrecking hospitals and leaving thousands of people injured or homeless.