At least 912 people died in the earthquake with its epicenter in Turkey on Monday in northern Syria and Turkey.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey, where the death toll now stands at 284, and neighboring Syria at dawn Monday.
According to Syrian TV, 239 people were killed and 648 injured when houses collapsed in several cities, including Aleppo (north), Syria’s second largest city. Victims have also been identified in Hama (centre) and in Latakia and Tartous on the Mediterranean coast.
A previous toll reported 237 deaths in areas under the control of the Syrian regime.
In rebel-held areas near Turkey, it is the White Helmets, rescue workers mobilizing in those areas, that have ascertained the casualty toll.
“One hundred and forty-seven civilians are dead and more than 340 injured in Idleb province and around Aleppo, according to a preliminary report,” the White Helmets in the north of the country said on Twitter, adding that a “significant increase” in the number of casualties is expected. “Hundreds of families still under the rubble”.
In a statement, the White Helmets declared these regions a “disaster” and called on international humanitarian organizations to “intervene quickly” to help local people.
The quake sparked panic in northern Syria, where residents rushed outside on foot or by car despite the torrential downpour, and in neighboring Lebanon, where the tremors were felt severely.