Officials told Daily Sabah 284 people were killed and 2,323 injured in the provinces of Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Osmaniye and Diyarbakır, although the toll threatened to climb much higher because of the heavy damage.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (1:17 a.m. GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcık district, the newspaper reported.

The historic fortress of Gaziantep, located in the southern Turkish province of Gaziantep, collapsed on Monday as a result of an earthquake, Turkish newspaper Posta reported.

Gaziantep Castle was first built as a watchtower in the Roman period in II-IV centuries A.D.

Later, it was expanded and took the current circle form in the VI century A.D (527-565 A.D) during the period of Byzantine Emperor Justinianus.

The castle consists of 12 towers, while its circumference reaches 1200 meters (3,937 feet).

The earthquake wreaked equal havoc in Syria where at least 386 people have died so far.

According to media reports, Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus are badly hit regions in the country.

Rescue operations are currently going on in both nations.