Over seven thousand people were killed and 40 thousand others injured after two strong earthquakes on Monday jolted southern Türkiye, the country’s disaster agency said on Wednesday.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centred in the Kahramanmaras province, struck 10 provinces and have affected more than 13 million people.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours.

More than 96,670 search and rescue teams are currently conducting operations in the field, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said in a statement.

“As a result of negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,309 personnel from other countries were dispatched to help in the disaster area,” it added.

Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams were also sent to the affected areas.

A total of 70,818 family tents were set up to shelter survivors, AFAD also said.

It added that 5,434 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and dozers, were sent to the disaster area.

For search and rescue operations to be carried out rapidly, Türkiye on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces that will continue for three months, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

Türkiye is observing seven-day of national mourning after the devastating quakes.

Condolences are pouring in from around the world expressing solidarity with Türkiye, with many countries sending rescue teams and aid.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is in the south of Türkiye today.

Erdoğan is expected to visit Kahramanmaras’ city centre first and then the Pazarcik district.

The Turkish President is then expected to head to Hatay for inspections.