More than 2,300 victims, thousands injured, many buried under the collapsed buildings in Turkey and Syria - this is the tragic balance sheet at this moment after a series of powerful, destructive earthquakes, the strongest of which up to 7.8 on the Richter scale.

Many countries around the world are already sending rescuers, equipment and humanitarian aid, Bulgaria is among them.

The tremor was felt in Lebanon, Israel, Cyprus, even Greenland, and a tsunami alert was briefly issued in Italy. 

All about the topic:

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria 74

The horror began in the early hours of Monday (Feb 6), around 04:00, when a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey and Syria.

The epicenter - not far from the city of Gaziantep, which is close to the border with Syria, which is why the huge destruction in both countries.

Throughout the day there was a series of earthquakes, the strongest of which around noon - 7.5 on the Richter scale.

Seismic activity in the area continues at this time.

The earthquakes were so powerful they caused explosions and fires in gas pipelines in southern Turkey.

Serious damage was also done to the energy infrastructure.

A drone captured the scale of the destruction from the air:

The EU activates its civil protection mechanism.

France announced that it is sending to Turkey 139 rescuers from the Civil Protection and 30 rescuers from the "Firefighters for Emergency International Assistance" association.

The UK is sending immediate help to Turkey with a team of 76 rescuers, supplies and dogs trained to search for trapped people.

They also mobilized 3,000 volunteers in northern Syria.

Germany also announced it would send aid.

Italy makes Civil Protection personnel available.

Spain immediately mobilized specialists and drones, BTA points out. 

Despite the tensions with Turkey, Greece and Sweden also promised aid to that country.

A team of 21 Greek firefighters with two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle will assist the victims.

The team will be accompanied by an engineer officer from the fire department, five doctors and rescuers from the Greek emergency services, and also by the president of the Greek Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization Prof. Efthimios Lekas.

The mission took off with a S-130 military aircraft from Elefsina Airport.

The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, said that as the EU's rotating chairman and as Turkey's partner, Sweden is ready to offer support.

Poland promised to send 76 firefighters and eight rescue dogs to Turkey.

Hungary said it was sending a 50-strong search team to Turkey.

Ukraine, where the Russian invasion continues, is ready to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the earthquake, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv is ready to send a large group of rescuers to Turkey to help it respond to the crisis.

US President Joe Biden announced that he was deeply saddened by the loss of human life and devastation in Turkey and Syria.

"I have asked my teams to continue to monitor the situation closely in coordination with Turkey and provide all necessary assistance, whatever that may be," Biden said.

And US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said shortly afterwards that initial US aid to Turkey was already on its way.

And US-backed humanitarian organizations in Syria are already responding as well.

Blinken assured that the United States is ready to help those affected by the earthquakes in the coming days, weeks and months with all it can.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Turkey and Syria.

He already spoke on the phone with the leaders of the two countries, after which the Russian presidency said that rescuers from the Russian Ministry of Emergencies will leave for Syria in the coming hours.

Russian rescuers will also be sent to Turkey.

And more than 300 Russian military personnel based in Syria have already begun helping clear debris from buildings destroyed by the quake, Russian forces said. 

India announced that it had decided to immediately send search teams and medical teams, as well as relief material.

China said it was in contact with the Turkish and Syrian authorities and was ready to send emergency aid.

At Ankara's request, Japan will send a team of rescuers.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered authorities to prepare to send medical aid and rescuers immediately.

Two Israeli humanitarian delegations will leave for Turkey in the coming hours, and Israel will also provide aid to Syria following a third-party aid request received by the country.

Iran has said it is ready to provide immediate military aid to the two friendly countries Turkey and Syria.

Readiness was expressed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Azerbaijan announced the immediate dispatch of 370 rescuers to Turkey.

The UN's Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said his agency was ready to provide emergency aid to earthquake survivors through teams on the ground.

And UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that UN staff on the ground in Turkey and Syria are assessing the needs of the affected areas and what assistance should be given to them.

Turkey has officially requested help from its NATO allies as well.

Emergency medical teams and equipment, various search and rescue teams, and fully equipped field hospitals are listed as part of the request published by NATO.

NATO's response to earthquakes is coordinated by the Alliance's Disaster Response Coordination Centre. 

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria

earthquake in Turkey

destroyed houses