DAMASCUS — A young child was pulled from the rubble in Azaz, after a devastating earthquake shook Syria and Turkey, leaving hundreds of people dead.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep and dozens of aftershocks have been felt in the hours since.

At least 1,700 people are believed to have died after two earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.

The confirmed death toll from this morning's earthquake in Turkey has now risen to 1,014, the head of the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has said.

The death toll in Syria now stands at 783, according to the AFP news agency, which has been combining figures from authorities in government-held areas with those from rescue group The White Helmets in rebel-held areas.

The figures bring the combined total to at least 1,797. — BBC