By Mark Schwendau

An earthquake that is said to have measured anywhere between 7.4 and 8.1 in magnitude has struck southern Turkey near the city of Gaziantep near the Syrian border. Gaziantep is said to have a population of around 800,000. The earthquake was said to have killed scores of people in both Turkey and Syria, and many are believed to be trapped under building rubble.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the 7.8-magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles) at about 4:17 in the morning local time. It is said to have lasted about a minute. Strong tremors of aftershocks have been felt after the quake.

Terrible devastation throughout Turkey and Norther Syria. Tremors into Iran and Israel as well. Rh