The earthquake toll in Syria has risen to 237, the Syrian Al Ekhbariya reported on Monday quoting a representative of the health ministry of the Syrian Arab Republic.
According to his information, at least 639 people were injured. It is noted that the majority of victims and casualties are recorded in the provinces of Latakia, Aleppo, Hama and Tartous. Earlier, the Syrian media reported 111 deaths.
There is no information about casualties, damage and destruction in areas outside Damascus-controlled Syria.
In its turn, SANA agency reported that the ministry of defense of the Republic "mobilizes all its units, formations and [subordinate] structures in all provinces of the country to provide immediate aid to the population affected by the quake, search for people remaining under the rubble and liquidation of the consequences of the destruction."
As Ahmed Damiriyye, an aide to Syria's health minister, stressed, "these are no final numbers yet, and the number of casualties may increase as rescue efforts continue." "A contingency plan is being implemented, and all medical institutions in the country have been mobilized to help," Damiriyye said. - "Medical teams, ambulances and medicines have been sent to Aleppo, Latakia and Hama from other areas."
In turn, the Syrian ministry of transport reported the suspension of rail traffic in the northern regions of the country. "The traffic of trains has been suspended as a precautionary measure, given the possible damage to tracks and bridge structures," the ministry said in a statement sent to the agency.
It said maintenance crews in Aleppo and Latakia provinces are now checking the condition of the railway tracks and bridges.
According to Al Hadath TV, dozens of people remain under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia and Hama provinces. Rescue efforts are carried out under stormy weather in pouring rain.
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Based on materials from TASS