Photos revealing the destruction of notable landmarks have emerged, detailing the level of devastation Türkiye and Syria have experienced.
Look back on the live blog as it happened.
Key events
Live updates
That's all for the blog
By Shiloh Payne
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Consular assistance is available for Australians
By Shiloh Payne
After announcing a new humanitarian package, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken the opportunity to remind those in need that consular assistance is available.
Rescuers struggle to reach peoople in affected areas
By Shiloh Payne
Tens of thousands of people in southern Türkiye and north-western Syria have been forced onto the streets in the frosty winter cold.
The Turkish president has described the earthquakes as the country's worst disaster since World War Two.
Oubadah Alwan from the Syrian Civil Defence force says it's difficult to reach people in affected areas.
"Northwest Syria is in the midst of a huge winter storm, the biggest issue is there's no shelter there's nowhere to go for safety, there's nowhere to provide shelter," he says.
"It's very very difficult on the ground right now in Syria the situation is very catastrophic at the moment I mean volunteers, civilian defence volunteers are completely run thin, in terms of resources, in terms of manpower."
Rescuers from all across the globe are offering aid
By Shiloh Payne
Many governments have rushed to dispatch aid, personnel and equipment to help the rescue efforts in quake-stricken areas of Turkey and Syria, including Australia.
Here's a glance at what's being provided so far:
- Australia is providing $10 million in humanitarian aid
- The European Union has mobilised search and rescue teams
- The United States is coordinating immediate assistance, including search and rescue teams
- Russian rescue teams are preparing to fly to Syria
- The Israeli army says it's sending a search and rescue team of engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers
- Greece is sending a team of rescuers.
Other countries sending aid include Romania, New Zealand, Croatia, Serbia, Moldova, Mexico, Japan, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Here's Anthony Albanese announcing the humanitarian aid
By Shiloh Payne
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to a 10-million-dollar support package for victims of the Türkiye and Syria earthquakes.
Here's the announcement in his own words:
Australia's Turkish community reeling from shock
By Shiloh Payne
Members of Melbourne's Turkish community say they're reeling from shock and trying to contact family and friends, after a series of earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
Turkish ex-pat and Melbourne resident Nuray Gurgener has told ABC Radio Melbourne there are a lot of old high-rise buildings in Türkiye and she is very worried about her loved ones.
"Extreme weather conditions don't help the people, I completed my uni in Malatya, one of the biggest cities affected by the earthquake, they are so cold, outside snowing, I called my friends but couldn't contact them," Gurgener says.
Watch: Countries around the world mobilise to help Türkiye and Syria
By Shiloh Payne
Multiple countries have already sent search and rescue teams and aid packages to the quake-hit nations.
Syria calls for aid from UN member states
By Shiloh Payne
War-ravaged Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid.
The quake-damaged area in Syria is divided between government-held territory and the country's last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by government forces and borders Türkiye.
Syria's UN Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh told reporters the UN secretary-general "assured us that the UN will do all it's possible in helping Syria in this very difficult situation."
Mr Sabbagh was asked whether Syria would agree to allow the UN to deliver aid through other crossing points from Türkiye, if that is feasible.
He didn't respond directly, but said the government is ready to help and coordinate aid deliveries "to all Syrians in all territory of Syria."
The rebel-held territory has depended on a flow of aid from nearby Türkiye for everything from food to medical supplies.
At least 3,700 people have been killed by an earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. What made it so deadly?
By Shiloh Payne
The earthquake was powerful — especially for a quake that hit on land. Typically, very strong earthquakes occur underwater, Margarita Segou, a seismologist with the British Geological Survey, says.
On top of that, the quake hit near heavily populated areas. The epicentre was near Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital in Türkiye.
Kishor Jaiswal, a USGS structural engineer, says the affected regions are home to vulnerable buildings.
Rapid construction in Syria — plus years of war — may have also left structures vulnerable, researchers say.
Officials reported thousands of buildings collapsed in the wake of the earthquake. They included "pancake" collapses, where upper floors of a building fall straight down onto the lower floors — a sign that the buildings couldn't absorb the shaking, Mr Jaiswal says.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by freezing temperatures and traffic jams from residents trying to leave quake-stricken areas.
Take a look at the Yeni Camii Mosque before and after the earthquake
By Shiloh Payne
You can slide the photo across with the circle to see the mosque before and after the earthquake.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is announcing $10 million in humanitarian aid
By Shiloh Payne
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking now, he's announcing aid for those affected by the earthquakes.
"These multiple earthquakes that hit the region are having a devastating impact, and today I can announce that the Australian Government will provide an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected through our Red Cross partners and through humanitarian agencies," Mr Albanese says.
"Australia's assistance will target those in greatest need.
"Can I also say that for Australians who have family in the region, this will be a difficult time."
Here's a before and after of the Gaziantep Castle
By Shiloh Payne
You can slide the photo across with the circle to see the castle before and after the earthquake.
Germany is sending specialist crews and rescue dogs
By Shiloh Payne
Germany's International Search and Rescue is heading to Türkiye's Gaziantep where it hopes to help Turkish rescue teams searching for survivors.
"There are 43 of us including seven rescue dogs that are specially trained for this. Plus all the equipment that we will need to locate, rescue and recover the missing people," team leader Steven Bayer said at Cologne airport.
One experienced ISAR dog handler who has previously worked in Nepal, Haiti and the Ahrtal area of Germany affected by heavy flooding said one factor in their favour was how quickly they would be able to get to the area.
Here you can see the intensity of the earthquake
By Shiloh Payne
Turkish ambassador in contact with DFAT
By Shiloh Payne
Overnight, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his condolences.
This morning, Turkish ambassador Ufuk Gezer thanked the prime minister and Foreign Minister Penny Wong for their support and confirmed he had been in touch with DFAT.
"We are still trying to work it out," Mr Gezer says.
"The priority right now is search and rescue teams, medium and heavy, urban search and rescue teams and medical equipment.
"This is what we have called on our international partners and friends and thankfully more than 50 countries have sent their search and rescue teams to Turkiye. Some of them are on the ground.
"Because of the geography, the first ones to come are the neighbouring countries, and they're all on the ground and we thank Australia for its help as well."
US reaffirms readiness to assist in rescue efforts
By Shiloh Payne
We mentioned earlier that US President Joe Biden would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
That conversation has now happened, according to the White House, which said Mr Biden offered his condolences and reaffirmed Washington's readiness to assist in rescue efforts.
Mr Biden "noted that US teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and coordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items", the White House said in a statement.
'Impossible to get to everyone': Melbourne family speaks of loss in Türkiye
By Peta Fuller
In Melbourne, Hulya Arslan is among those who have lost family in the disaster — two siblings and a cousin.
Her husband Memet Arslan told ABC's News Breakfast it was very hard to get information right now, but they knew surviving family had to stay in their car for warmth:
"The communication we had is only by telephone, that's the only form of communication.
Unfortunately, there are provinces that are still — they don't have communications, so there are areas of Türkiye that are still not being reached so, therefore, we don't actually know the impact of the earthquake in those areas especially in little towns."
"Unfortunately, there are thousands of people that are still unheard of... with the magnitude of the earthquake, it is impossible to get to everyone at once."
How to help from afar
By Shiloh Payne
Reading this is nauseating. I want to reach out and help in someway — would it be possible to post links to relevant aid and mental health organisations for readers to access directly from the live blog? Many thanks and take care.
- J
Hi J, thanks for writing in. It is truly a devastating situation.
Australia for UNHCR is appealing for urgent support to help those affected.
Trudi Mitchell, the chief executive for Australia for UNHCR, says there are ways you can help.
"We've seen time and again how Australians have rallied behind those who have been devastated by natural disasters across the globe," Ms Mitchell says.
"In coming days, the needs of people in Syria and Türkiye will continue to grow and UNHCR will be working tirelessly to help people with temporary shelters, blankets and other relief items and support. This life-saving work is only possible through the support and compassion of donors."
If you want to donate, you can via this link.
As for mental health, if this story has raised any issues for you, or if you or anyone you know needs help, here's where you can go:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- 13YARN Crisis Support Line on 13 92 76
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- ReachOut at au.reachout.com
- Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774
- Head to Health at headtohealth.gov.au
