At least 100 killed in 7.8 magnitude earthquakes that jolts Türkiye, Syria

(ECNS) -- At least 100 were killed in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that jolted southeast Türkiye and Syria on Monday, according to the Associate Press.

The 7.8 magnitude quake's epicenter was located near the cities of Nurdağı and Gaziantep, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquake, followed by aftershocks, also struck parts of northeast Syria, causing multiple buildings to collapse.

Tallies from various officials put the toll at least 38 dead in Türkiye and 62 in Syria. The toll was expected to rise.

At least 130 buildings tumbled down in Türkiye's Malatya province. Syria's state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama.

Rescue workers and residents frantically searched for survivors under the rubble of crushed buildings in multiple cities on both sides of the border, AP reported.

The earthquake came as the Middle East is experiencing a snowstorm that is expected to continue until Thursday. 

Türkiye sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes.Some 18,000 were killed in powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Türkiye in 1999, AP said.