Update: More than 2000 killed in Turkey and Syria earthquake

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey's Gaziantep province.

By Tara Subramaniam, Rhea Mogul, Adam Renton, Aditi Sangal and Leinz Vales, CNN

More than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early Monday. Officials continue to update the death toll as rescue efforts continue.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

Multiple strong aftershocks have been felt across the region for hours after the first quake, including a severe quake measuring magnitude 7.5.

Turkey’s disaster agency appealed for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations.

17 min ago

A powerful earthquake rocked Turkey early Monday, killing more than 1,500 people and injuring thousands more across the country and neighboring Syria.

Photos showing the true scale of the disaster emerged as the day broke. Entire city blocks were flattened by the quake, metal rods were strewn across the streets and vehicles toppled over. Rescuers are still working to free people trapped under the rubble.

An aerial view over Hatay, Turkey, on February 6, showing the devastation caused by the earthquake. (Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Syrian civilians work to save people trapped beneath a destroyed building in Idlib, Syria, on Monday. (Anas Alkharboutli/picture alliance/Getty Images)

Search and rescue efforts in Diyarbakir, Turkey,. (Aydin Arik/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Civil defense workers and security forces search through the wreckage of collapsed buildings in Hama, Syria. (Omar Sanadik/AP)

A demolished building in Hatay. (Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Germany will deliver aid to earthquake region soon

From CNN’s Inke Kappeler in Berlin

German technical aid agency THW is preparing to deploy aid to the region affected by Monday’s deadly earthquake, which has killed at least 1,500 people and injured thousands more in Turkey and Syria.

THW will deliver tents, blankets and emergency power generators, according to government spokesman Maximilian Kall.

After speaking with Turkish Ambassador to Berlin Ahmet Başar Şen, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vowed to send all the help needed, Kall said. Turkey has asked for a European Civil Protection Team to be deployed, he added.

Meanwhile, NATO and the EU have offered to send help following the disaster, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

CNN