7.4-magnitude earthquake jolts Türkiye’s Kahramanmaras province (photo)

A strong earthquake jolted Türkiye’s southern province of Kahramanmaras early Monday, according to the country's disaster agency.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in Pazarcik district.

The quake occurred at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).

It was also felt in other southeastern provinces including Diyarbakir and Gaziantep and neighboring countries including Lebanon and Syria.

Searching for survivors

Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the south of the country, Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan said the quake was felt in many parts of the country and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkey was on alert to assist the victims.

“I convey my best wishes to all our citizens who were affected by the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş and was felt in many parts of our country. All our relevant units are on alert under the coordination of AFAD,” Erdogan wrote on Twitter.

The governor of Sanliurfa province, Salih Ayhan, told CNN affiliate CNN Turk that at least 12 people had died in his province alone. At least 34 buildings had collapsed, according to preliminary data, Erdinç Yılmaz, governor of the southern Osmaniye province, told CNN Turk.

The Turkish interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, said: “All our teams are on the alert. We have raised a level four alarm, which includes international aid.”

Death toll climbing

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said 76 people had been confirmed dead, and at least 440 more were injured.

Syria's Assistant Health Minister Ahmad Dumeira said at least 42 people were killed in government-held areas of the country, while doctors in rebel-held areas also reported dozens of deaths in the aftermath.

"We fear that the deaths are in the hundreds," Muheeb Qaddour, a doctor in the Syrian town of Atmed, told the Associated Press.

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