The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria rises to more than 19,700

The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria rises to more than 19,700

The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria is now at least 19,738, according to authorities.

In Turkey, the death toll has risen to at least 16,546, and another 66,132 people were injured, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

The total number of deaths in Syria rose to at least 3,192, including 1,930 in rebel-held areas in the northwest, according to the White Helmets civil defense group, and 1,262 deaths in government-controlled parts of Syria, according to Syrian state media. 

The total number of people injured in Syria across all affected territories rose to 5,158, with 2,258 in government-controlled areas and 2,900 in rebel-held areas.

At least 71,290 people have been injured in Syria and Turkey, according to figures from the Turkish government, the White Helmets and Syrian state media.