Over 300 dead, several injured in powerful earthquake

Over 300 dead, several injured in powerful earthquake

A powerful earthquake has hit a wide area in south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, killing more than 300 people and trapping many others.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep.

In Turkey, officials confirmed more than 76 deaths so far and 10 cities hit, including Diyarbakir.

In Syria, more than 230 people were killed, state media reported.

The Syrian health ministry said people had died in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus.

There are fears the death toll will rise sharply in the coming hours.

Many buildings have collapsed and rescue teams have been deployed to search for survivors under huge piles of rubble.