Turkey Hit by Massive Earthquake

Initial Reports Indicate Widespread Damage and Casualties

Search and Rescue Operations Underway as Death Toll Rises

A powerful earthquake has struck Turkey, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The 7.8-magnitude quake hit near the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey early Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Tremors were felt as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, and Israel.

Initial reports indicate that the earthquake has caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Buildings have collapsed, roads have been cracked, and power lines have been knocked out. Rescue workers are searching through the rubble for survivors, but the death toll is expected to rise as the search continues.

The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. Rescue teams from around the world are being deployed to assist in the search and rescue effort. The Turkish Red Crescent has set up emergency shelters and is providing food, water, and medical assistance to those who have been affected by the earthquake.

The earthquake is the strongest to hit Turkey in over a decade. The last major earthquake in Turkey was in 1999 when a 7.4-magnitude quake killed more than 17,000 people. The Turkish government has been working to improve earthquake preparedness in recent years, but the scale of this earthquake is likely to test the limits of its resources.