International Desk: The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria approached to 22,000 on Friday, 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 statement of Al Jazeera, at least 18,991 deaths have been reported in Turkey, while 3,377 people have died in Syria. The death toll is likely to keep rising.

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"Thousands of our people are under the rubble. Everyone must mobilise using all their means," leader Cemil Bayik was quoted as saying late Thursday by ANF, a news agency close to Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The first aid deliveries to rebel-held northwestern Syria since the quake arrived on Thursday, an official at the Bab al-Hawa crossing told AFP.

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Survivors have been left to scramble for food and shelter and in some cases watch helplessly as their relatives called for rescue, and eventually went silent under the debris.

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

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

Sun News/MR

Death devastating Turkey Syria earthquake

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