International Desk: The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has crossed to 41,000 on Wednesday, reports Al Jazeera.

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The magnitude 7.8 quake hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria early Monday on February 6, toppling thousands of buildings including many apartment blocks, wrecking hospitals, and leaving thousands of people injured or homeless.

Turkish authorities say 35,418 people have been killed in the country. The Syrian government and the UN say more than 5,800 people died in Syria.

Read more: Death toll climbs to 37,000

The WHO is describing the earthquakes in Turkey as the worst natural disaster in a century in what it characterises as its Europe region.

The UN is appealing for $397m in aid to help five million Syrian survivors with shelter, healthcare and food.

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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 crossed Syria Turkey

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