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 31,643, Turkish officials said, adding that more than 80,000 people were injured.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in Syria, the toll is at least 5,273, including 3,210 deaths in opposition-held areas and 2,063 deaths in regime-controlled areas.

“The number of Syrians who have been killed due to the devastating earthquake is expected to exceed 7,000, especially since there are hundreds of missing people under rubble,” the group said.

The group noted that the violent earthquake also caused total and partial damage to buildings in nearly 120 villages, towns and cities in the middle, north-west and west of Syria. (ILKHA)