The UK's Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning to British travellers and holidaymakers who have plans to visit Turkey or Syria - after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake across the bordering countries erupted today.
The quake, which mainly affected southern Turkey and northern Syria reduced buildings to rubble across the Middle Eastern countries - leaving at least 1,300 dead in its wake.
The death toll for the incident is also expected to grow as and when casualty reports come in from individual provinces. There have also been reports of a second quake measuring 7.5 magnitude recorded in central Turkey.
Read more: Hundreds killed in massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria
It is also reported that numerous others were left injured or trapped by the natural disaster.
Tremors were reportedly also felt as far as Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt - with Italy issuing a tsunami alert for coastal populations in the aftermath. Now, the UK's Foreign Office is telling travellers to completely avoid the Southeast region of Turkey.
On their official GOV website, and with regards to Turkey the Office state: "A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and nine other Turkish provinces (Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Adana, Malatya) in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023.
"There have been several strong after-shocks and the Turkish government has announced its highest level of state emergency. You should avoid the Southeast region of Turkey and follow the advice of the local authorities."
In the wake of the disaster, many of Europe's nations are offering their condolences and assistance where possible. British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, tweeted: "Tragic loss of life in the Turkey and Syria earthquake. Our condolences go to the families of those who died and our thoughts are with the survivors.
"The UK stands ready to provide assistance."
The last instance in which an earthquake of similar power shook Turkey came in 1939 - with almost 33,000 people killed in the tragedy.
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