Buildings across Turkey have collapsed as a result of the earthquakes. (EPA).

More than 15,000 people have perished after the devastating earthquake that rocked southeastern Turkiye and northwestern Syria on Monday, officials have said.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake started at 4 AM when people were asleep, in the town of Pazarcik in Turkiye southeastern Kahramanmaras province and was followed by several powerful aftershocks.

ABC News quotes Turkiye Emergency Management (AFAD) as saying 12,391 deaths have been recorded from the earthquake there, while the Syrian Health Ministry and White Helmets say 2,962 people are dead in Syria.

Turkiye Emergency Management also reports that 62,914 people were injured.

Thousands of buildings were toppled on both sides of the border, and the death toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched for survivors in the massive piles of rubble.