this is cnn breaking news welcome to our viewers joining us in the united states and around world, we continue tracking in the middle east this hour, a major earthquake killed hundreds in sierra and turkey and the death toll is rising quickly, syrian report at least 237 people died in sierra and 600 injured in an unknown number could be trapped under rubble. we just got this video of a rescuer carrying an injured child away from the rubble of a damaged building, a group known as the syrian self-defense declared the northwestern part of syria disaster area, dozens buildings collapsed both countries. at least 76 people reported dead in turkey and more than 400 injured. emergency workers are asking for silence so they can hear if trapped under the rubble. the governor said nearly how to search and rescuers are headed to the impact region and turkey s disaster and emergency management agency is calling for international support. the u.s. geological survey said the epicenter of
of the american people. but make no mistake, if any object presents a threat to the safety and security of the american people, i will take it down. president joe biden addresses the chinese surveillance balloon and other objects shot down by the military in recent days. more of his comments and his message to beijing in just a moment. plus former president trump claims total exoneration following the partial release of a grand jury report on election interference in georgia. we ll explain why that s not even close to being true. and also ahead the latest update from the epa on the major ohio train derailment which is now a focus of many conspiracy theorists. good morning and welcome to way too early on this friday, folks. we made it. friday, february 17th. i m jonathan lemire. thanks for starting your day with us. we ll begin this morning in washington where president joe biden spoke extensively for the first time yesterday about his administration s decision to shoo
good morning, everyone. we start with really serious news this morning. there is devastation happening. the staggering death toll keeps rising in turkey and syria after a catastrophic earthquake. 1300 people are now reported dead and a powerful after shock. it just hit just moments ago. we ll go live to istanbul for the latest on this frantic search. and new fallout from the downing of a chinese spy balloon. president biden is preparing to deliver his second state of the union address. a train loaded with hazardous materials derailing in ohio. thousands of people ordered to evacuate. now a battle is under way to keep that toxic wreckage from exploding. we re going to begin with this. devastating earthquake in turkey and syria. it struck before dawn and collapsed buildings while people were asleep in their beds. just moments ago, just got word of a powerful 7.5 magnitude after shock. there you can see people digging through the rubble. more than 1300 people now reported
hello, and everyone, welcome to cnn newsroom. right now there is a desperate search and rescue operation under way across turkey and syria after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake ripped through the two countries before dawn. the death toll now tops 2,700 and will like will keep rising as crews dig through the rubble. more than 120 aftershocks hit after the earthquake, including one almost as powerful as the earthquake itself. buildings crumbled to the ground. people feared trapped inside. others having to run for their lives. rescuers having to reach those who are stuck under piles of concrete and debris, like this boy in northern syria. you can just make him out buried under the wreckage. thankfully he was pulled the safety. rescuers also pulling this little girl from the debris in another syrian city. the u.s. and other countries are offering whatever help they can. and president biden said he has directed his team to provide any and all assistance immediately. cnn s juman
possible explosives to deflate the balloon. gillian: in a moment, karine jean-pierre will be asked questions why the president waited nearly a week to shoot it down. john: we will bring you the white house briefing when it begins. john roberts in washington, good to kick the week off with you. gillian: you, too, john. i m gillian turner in for sandra smith. the president said ordered the military to take out the balloon after it had been drifting for days. they say the military should have listened. he projected weakness at this moment. i think the administration lacks urgency. became a situation of argument and everybody wondering what is the administration doing. this is a wake-up call for the country. gillian: john kirby pushed back, said it gave the u.s. time to study the balloon, as well as chinese s motives. john: seems clear china s motive is to replace the united states as the leading superpower. a list of how china has provoked and escalated tension