Turkey devastated by major earthquake

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes.

The latest quake was also felt in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

Syria’s state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama.

In Syria’s rebel-held northwest that borders Turkey several buildings collapsed, according to the opposition’s Syrian civil Defense.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

In Beirut and Damascus, buildings shook and many people went down to the streets in fear.

Footage shared by people in Iraq showed hundreds of residents, many dressed in their pyjamas, and gathered in the dark outside apartment buildings as they awaited news on whether it was safe to return indoors.