The most lethal earthquakes since the turn of the Millennium

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing thousands of people in the two countries. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers look for trapped survivors under the debris of toppled buildings. 

The world has seen numerous devastating earthquakes since the turn of the millennium, with some causing widespread destruction and loss of life.  

Here are some of the deadliest earthquakes that have occurred in the past two decades. 

June 22, 2022: In Afghanistan, more than 1,100 people die in a magnitude 6.1 earthquake.

August 14, 2021: In Haiti, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake kills more than 2,200 people.

September 28, 2018: A magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits Indonesia, killing more than 4,300 people.

August 24, 2016: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake in central Italy kills more than 300 people.

April 25, 2015: In Nepal, more than 8,800 people are killed by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

August 3, 2014: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Wenping in southern China’s Yunnan province kills more than 700 people.

September 24, 2013: A magnitude 7.7 quake strikes southwest Pakistan, killing more than 800 people.

March 11, 2011: A magnitude 9 quake off the northeast coast of Japan triggers a tsunami, killing more than 20,000 people.

February 27, 2010: A magnitude 8.8 quake shakes Chile, generating a tsunami and killing 524 people.

January 12, 2010: In Haiti, 316,000 people die in a magnitude 7 quake, according to government estimates.

September 30, 2009: More than 1,100 people die when a magnitude 7.5 quake hits southern Sumatra in Indonesia.

April 6, 2009: A magnitude 6.3 quake kills more than 300 people in and around L’Aquila, Italy.

May 12, 2008: A magnitude 7.9 quake strikes eastern Sichuan in China, resulting in more than 87,500 deaths.

August 15, 2007: A magnitude 8 earthquake near the coast of central Peru kills more than 500 people.

May 26, 2006: More than 5,700 people die when a magnitude 6.3 quake hits the Indonesian island of Java.

October 8, 2005: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake kills more than 80,000 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

March 28, 2005: A magnitude 8.6 quake in northern Sumatra in Indonesia kills about 1,300 people.

December 26, 2004: A magnitude 9.1 quake in Indonesia triggers a tsunami across the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people in a dozen countries.

December 26, 2003: A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hits southeastern Iran, resulting in 50,000 deaths.

May 21, 2003: More than 2,200 people are killed in a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Algeria.

March 25, 2002: About 1,000 people are killed in a magnitude 6.1 quake in northern Afghanistan.

January 26, 2001: A magnitude 7.7 quake strikes Gujarat, India, killing 20,000 people.

These earthquakes serve as a reminder of the power of nature and the need for better preparation and disaster response efforts to minimize loss of life and damage in the event of a natural disaster.

Remembering past earthquake tragedies is important for honoring the victims, learning from the past, raising awareness, and fostering unity and support.

— With additional input from Al Jazeera