Death toll piling up in disastrous quake

Turkish provinces report initial casualty estimates amid ongoing rescue efforts

Dozens of people have been confirmed killed, and many more are feared dead or trapped under the rubble of their collapsed houses, after a series of powerful earthquakes struck central Türkiye shortly after 4am Monday morning.

At least 34 buildings were destroyed and five people killed in the province of Osmaniye alone, according to its governor, with more casualties expected as rescuers are working to locate possible survivors.

Another 15 people were killed and at least 16 buildings destroyed in Sanliurfa, according to initial estimates by the provincial governor. 

The governor of Malatya reported at least 140 destroyed or badly damaged buildings, with bodies of 23 victims pulled from the debris so far. Over 420 suffered various injuries across the province, according to Anadolu news.

In Diyarbakir province authorities so far confirmed six people dead and 79 injured, with at least half a dozen buildings destroyed.

Turkish authorities declared the highest level of emergency, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mobilizing all rescue services and first responders to aid the affected provinces, while other government institutions are coordinating their response.

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