Catastrophic earthquake kills at least 846 in Syria

Catastrophic earthquake kills at least 846 in Syria
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Northern Syrian provinces of Hama, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartus have been affected by the earthquake epicenter in Turkey.

Massive earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that hit Turkey’s southeast on Monday has also rocked the other side of the border, killing at least 846 people in Northern Syria.

Many buildings that had already suffered damage in fighting during Syria's nearly 12-year-long civil war, have collapsed in the provinces of Hama, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartus, Rudaw reported, citing Syrian state media.

The earthquake occurred at a time when the Middle East is being battered by a snowstorm that is expected to last until Thursday, Rudaw said.

While the Syrian government asked international aid following the devastating earthquake, a Syrian official has said that they rejected Israel’s help after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a request to send aid to the quake-hit country.

“How can Syria ask for help from an entity that has killed Syrians for decades,” Rudaw cited the official as saying.