TURKEY-SYRIA EARTHQUAKES: 2,280 DEAD; 2ND MAJOR QUAKE HITS

By www.mknewslink.com reporter

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake follows devastating 7.8 tremor in southeast Turkey, also causing damage in northern Syria.

At least 1,498 deaths were reported in Turkey, while 783 people died in Syria.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered about 33km (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was about 18km (11 miles) deep, with a 7.5 quake hitting in the same region hours later amid several aftershocks.

The powerful earthquakes have sent multistory buildings crumbling to the ground in parts of Turkey and Syria, killing more than 2,000 people as rescue operations continue.

Two major fault lines along the Anatolian Plate have generated a number of big quakes.

Experts say several factors have compounded the seismic event.

Dozens of countries have pledge to aid in search and rescue operations.