Turkey and Syria have both been hit by an earthquake that has left more than 1,000 people dead.

After a devastating earthquake that shook the Turkish-Syrian border overnight and was felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus, thousands of people are feared dead.

The 7.8 magnitude tremor, which occurred at 04:17 a.m. local time, was detected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Many people were crushed in their beds as a result of buildings collapsing, and many more were trapped in the debris and wreckage of their destroyed homes.

Although the official death toll has topped 1,200 so far, it is anticipated the number will rise significantly when rescue and recovery efforts get under way. The exact number of fatalities is probably between 1,000 and 10,000, according to USGS data.

The USGS classified the quake on Monday as a “Red alert for deaths and financial losses associated with shaking. It is expected that there will be many fatalities, significant property destruction, and widespread calamity. Red alarms in the past have necessitated a regional or global reaction.”

Near the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 11 miles, but strong aftershocks shook the area throughout morning.

According to the most recent report from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nation has seen at least 912 fatalities and more than 5,000 injuries. The government-held territories on the Syrian side of the border saw at least 326 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries, according to the state news agency, SANA. However, as additional data becomes available during the day, those numbers are anticipated to increase.