More than 3000 people have been killed following two strong earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northern Syria within 12 hours.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit first, and was followed by a 7.5 magnitude aftershock, and a total of more than 120 aftershocks have been felt across the Middle East including Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel.

Turkey Correspondent for the Economist, Piotr Zalewski, told 6PR Breakfast tragically the earthquake struck at the worst possible time.

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“Tragically people weren’t going about their lives, people were sleeping, I mean it was four o’clock in the morning,” Mr Zalewski said.

“The death count now is already incredibly grim, we are looking at well over 3000 people killed – but given the scale of destruction it’s bound to rise.”

Getty Images: Stringer

Adana. Rescue workers here calling for quiet, hoping to hear someone trapped under the rubble. pic.twitter.com/Y9398K8oFz

— Piotr Zalewski (@p_zalewski) February 6, 2023