International Desk: The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has crossed to 24,000 on Saturday, 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.

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.

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According to the Saturday's statement of Al Jazeera, at least 20,665 deaths have been reported in Turkey, while 3,500 people have died in Syria. The death toll is likely to keep rising.

United Nations said that about 5.3 million people in Syria may be homeless after the earthquakes, while nearly 900,000 people are in urgent need of hot food in Turkey and Syria.

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According to state the media, the Syrian government has approved the delivery of humanitarian aid to quake-hit areas outside its control, according to state media.

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.

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Death devastating earthquake Syria Turkey

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