International Desk: The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has climbed to 37,000 on Tuesday, reports Al Jazeera.

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The magnitude 7.8 quake hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria early on Monday, toppling thousands of buildings including many apartment blocks, wrecking hospitals, and leaving thousands of people injured or homeless.

According to the UN and the Syrian government, 31,643 people have been killed in the country, while more than 5,800 people are dead in Syria.

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The UN estimates up to 5.3 million people in Syria may be homeless after the earthquakes. Nearly 900,000 people are in urgent need of hot food in Turkey and Syria.

Syrian President al-Assad agrees to let the UN deliver aid to rebel-held parts of northwest Syria through two more border crossings from Turkey.

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The Turkey-Syria border is one of the world's most active earthquake zones.

In 1999, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed more than 17,000.

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Death devastating earthquake Turkey climbed people homeless

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