Turkey-Syria earthquake: deaths rise to over 4,300; WHO warns of 20,000 total casualties

The death toll continued to rise exponentially in Turkey and Syria, a day after a major earthquake and strong aftershocks devastated the region.

By the morning of 7 February, the number of casualties had crossed the 4,300-mark. Authorities said that more than 5,600 buildings had collapsed due to the quake, trapping thousands under debris.

The World Health Organisation offered a grim analysis, saying that the death toll may rise eightfold. The toll was around 3,000 when WHO's prediction was reported, meaning that the deaths may cross the 20,000-mark.