A powerful earthquake has hit Gaziantep in south-eastern Turkey, near the border with Syria.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep.

The quake was felt in the capital Ankara and other Turkish cities, and also across the region.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64533851

More than 2,000 dead after major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/64533954

 

I just got a notification the death toll has risen to 2,249.

7:41

At least 2,300 people now confirmed dead

The death toll in Turkey from this morning's earthquake has risen again to 1,498, according to the country's disaster management agency.

The combined death toll from the initial quake in Turkey and Syria now stands at more than 2,300 after 810 people were confirmed dead in Syria, the AFP news agency reports.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/64533954

Turkey earthquake: Before and after images show extent of destruction

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64544998

That’s horrible my deepest condolences to all affected build better or else!

Bad for ordinary people. My sympathy for the friends, families and relatives lost. 

 

However, I have noticed over the years that religiously pious people, like those in the area, never, ever say that God is punishing them for their sins when natural disaster strikes. After all a natural disaster is God smiting sinners, isn't it? What did they do?