At least 22 people were killed and more than 700 injured after a powerful earthquake levelled buildings across Greece and Turkey.
A strong earthquake caused a mini-tsunami on the Aegean island of Samos and a sea surge that turned streets into rushing rivers.
People ran onto streets in panic in the Turkish city of Izmir after the quake struck with a magnitude of up to 7.0.
Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said 17 people died, one due to drowning, while 709 people were injured.
Search and rescue operations continued at collapsed or damaged buildings in Izmir, reports said.
The quake hit the Aegean Sea leading to massive loss of life and property after reports claimed as many as 196 aftershocks were felt in the region, with 23 of them even reaching magnitude 4 on the Richter Scale.
Aerial footage showed debris including refrigerators, chairs and tables floating on the streets.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted his condolences: “Words are too poor to describe what one feels before the loss of children.”
The leaders of Turkey and Greece said they were ready to help the other country if needed.
“I just called President @RTErdogan to offer my condolences for the tragic loss of life from the earthquake that struck both our countries,” Greek PM tweeted.
“Whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together,” he added.
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. I offer my condolences to all of Greece on behalf of myself and the Turkish people. Turkey, too, is always ready to help Greece heal its wounds. That two neighbors show solidarity in difficult times is more valuable than many things in life,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wrote in a tweet responding to Mistotakis.
