The Turkey and Syria earthquake death toll rose over 5,000 on Tuesday, as the frezzing weather and several aftershocks make the rescue efforts difficult, according to reports.
Sources said more than 20,000 people were injured and over 6,000 buildings collapsed in the quake that hit Turkey and northern Syria. The UNESCO expressed fears heavy damage in Aleppo in Syria and Diyarbakir in Turkey.
Turkey, one of the world's most active earthquake zones, was hit by 7.8-magnitude earthquake early Monday.
Most of the people were still sleeping when the earthquake struck and brought down hundreds of buildings and structures amid the snow, according to reports.
Places near the quake's epicentre between Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep in Turkey witnessed the worst devastation. The death toll in that country rose to 3,381 on Tuesday, according to AFAD, Turkey's relief agency.
In Syria, while most of the structures were in dilapidated condition brought on by the long years of war, heavy damages caused by the quake were reported from across the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus.
Meanwhile, international resuce efforts are underway, with several countries coming forward to help.
