Two ethnic Armenians killed in Aleppo by powerful earthquake

YEREVAN, February 6. /ARKA/. Two ethnic Armenians have been killed in Syrian Aleppo by a powerful earthquake that hit in the early hours of Monday southeast Turkey and northern Syria.

Ethnic Armenian member of the Syrian parliament Jirayr Revisyan told Armenpress news agency that the killed Armenians are mother and son Myrna and Alper Tenkechian.

"The situation in the city remains tense. The destruction of 34-35 buildings in Aleppo l has already been officially confirmed," Armenpress news agency quoted Revisyan as saying.

According to reports from Turkey and Syria, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake has knocked down multiple buildings in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. At least 284 deaths were reported in Turkey, while 237 people died in Syria.

Revisyan said specialized and rescue teams have been sent to the three hardest hit cities: Aleppo, Latakia and Hama.

"Because of the earthquake some Armenian buildings are partially damaged, there is no information about complete destruction," the MP said.

According to experts, aftershocks following the earthquake can continue for “several days, several weeks, maybe even several months. The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake is likely to keep rising over the coming days.-0-