It is already the most deadly natural disaster that the region has known since the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. In Syria, the latest official report shows 3,688 people dead. A number of victims which has remained stable for several days.
According to UNICEF, more than seven million children were affected by the earthquake in the two countries, including 2.5 million in Syria. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay reported that 105,000 buildings have collapsed or been severely damaged and will be demolished.