Over 300 Dead as Earthquake Devastates Northern Syria
A powerful earthquake struck northern Syria and southern Türkiye early Monday, with the death toll in Syria rising to 326 and over 1,042 injured, according to the Syrian health ministry. Northern Syria’s Aleppo province, already scarred by years of conflict, bore the brunt of the destruction, with rescue teams scrambling to locate survivors under collapsed buildings.
Urgent Rescue Operations Underway
CGTN stringers reported from Aleppo, where emergency crews are using heavy machinery and bare hands to clear rubble. Local hospitals are overwhelmed, and aid groups warn that freezing temperatures are complicating efforts. \"Every minute counts,\" said a volunteer with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, highlighting the race to reach trapped victims.
International Response and Challenges
Cross-border humanitarian access remains critical, particularly for regions in northwest Syria accessible only via Türkiye. The UN has called for urgent funding to support displaced families. Meanwhile, Türkiye’s disaster agency reported over 200 fatalities in its southern provinces, with search operations underway there as well.
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Rescue operations underway amid massive earthquake damage in Syria
cgtn.com
