ISTANBUL: More than 195 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake in Turkey and neighbouring Syria. An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale was felt in southeast Turkey. An aftershock of 6.7 on the Richter scale was also felt 15 minutes later. Many buildings have collapsed. There are also reports that many people are trapped inside. The tremor was felt in Lebanon and Cyprus.

WATCH: Building collapses during earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey pic.twitter.com/GfQzglgDGK

— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) February 6, 2023

The Governor informed that 23 people were killed in Malatya city in Turkey. Reuters news agency quoted the governor as saying that 420 people were injured and 140 buildings were destroyed. 17 people died in Urfa, seven in Osmania and six in Diyarbakir. It is reported that the death toll will rise.

#SYRIA: This is the aftermath of the #earthquake in the streets of #Azaz, #Aleppo, Northern Syria. I’m just driving through the streets right now & it’s chaos. There’s bricks that have fallen from buildings all over the streets. Pls keep all those affected in your duas & share 🤲🏼 pic.twitter.com/DMKkZmnnaF

— Live Updates Frontline (@LiveUpdateSyria) February 6, 2023

In Syria, 42 people died in government-controlled areas, the official Syrian News Agency reported, citing health ministry sources. 200 people were injured. The earthquake affected Aleppo, Hama and Latakia.

A Massive 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake has struck Central Turkey within the last hour, Severe Damage and multiple Casualties are being reported across the Region. pic.twitter.com/qILgKNAHMK

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 6, 2023

The earthquake occurred at 4.17 am local time. The visuals show people running around in panic after shock. Efforts are on to evacuate people from the collapsed buildings. The epicentre of the earthquake was 17.9 kilometres underground in Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey, near the border with Syria.

Multiple apartment buildings have collapsed after a powerful earthquake in southern Turkey pic.twitter.com/wydrBj94RL

— BNO News (@BNONews) February 6, 2023

The tremors were felt in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and other major cities nearby. Turkey's Interior Minister announced that the earthquake affected ten cities in Turkey. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan tweeted that rescue teams have been sent to the disaster area and that the whole country will face the disaster together. After the first tremor, six aftershocks were felt and authorities have warned people not to go inside the damaged houses.