Rescue efforts intensify in Syria and Turkey as death toll climbs past 4,000

Rescue teams worked frantically through the night into Tuesday after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey and war-torn northern Syria on Monday morning, crumbling buildings and killing more than 4,000 people, The Associated Press reported.

Turkish and Syrian officials have said they expect the death toll to climb, as they called on governments and international agencies to provide help. Many countries, in turn, have raced to deploy rescue teams, aid and equipment.

In Turkey alone, more than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, The Associated Press reported. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said 224 buildings in northwestern Syrian were destroyed and at least 325 were damaged, including aid warehouses. The U.N. had been assisting 2.7 million people each month via cross-border deliveries, which could now be disrupted.

Turkey earthquake hits as TV journalist broadcasts live 01:34

The first powerful quake struck before dawn on a rainy and snowy night. It was felt as far away as Cairo, Cyprus, Lebanon and even in Greenland and Denmark.