The region of southern Turkey and northern Syria is still reeling from the aftermath of a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday, February 6th.
This earthquake has brought with it an unprecedented level of destruction and loss of life, as the official death toll continues to rise and now stands at over 21,000.
This earthquake is now considered the deadliest in the last 80 years, surpassing the 17,000 fatalities from a previous earthquake that hit Turkish territory in 1999.
In Turkey, the death toll currently stands at 18,342, while in Syria, it is just over 3,200. These figures take into account both the official counts provided by the national government and the reports of rescue groups operating in the northwest of the country, which is controlled by jihadists and rebels.
The earthquake has left a trail of destruction, with tons of rubble, 90 aftershocks, and an ever-increasing number of victims. Despite the challenging conditions, there have been emotional rescues, including the saving of children and families from the rubble.
However, the task of getting help to those in need has been made difficult by unfavorable weather conditions, making the situation all the more challenging.
