Thousands of buildings have collapsed in Türkiye and Syria in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years.

The death toll in Türkiye rose to 17,674, Turkish vice president Fuat Oktay said. More than 72,000 people were injured.

“29,622 search and rescue teams are in the field to save people trapped under the rubble across 10 provinces worst affected by the earthquake,” Oktay added.

In Syria, the toll was at least 3,377, according to the government and a rescue service in the opposition-held northwest.

The World Health Organization warned that those numbers are likely to increase as much as eight times, as rescue teams find more victims in the rubble.

On Monday, a catastrophic and deadly earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria.

The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, including an unusually powerful magnitude 7.5 nine hours after the main quake.

A large winter storm hampered rescue efforts, dropping snow on the ruins and bringing plummeting temperatures.

Due to the freezing temperatures in the areas, survivors, especially the ones that are trapped under the wreckage, have a great risk of hypothermia. (ILKHA)