Families in North Texas are eagerly waiting to hear from loved ones who went missing in Turkey and Syria after the deadly earthquake.

DALLAS — The death toll from a magnitude 7.8 in Turkey and Syria has risen to nearly 4,000. Rescuers are hoping for survivors as they continue to dig up collapsed buildings.

Some families in North Texas are desperate for news from their loved ones.

“We are in shock, we cannot imagine this,” said Eider Kilic, originally from Turkey.

Kilic said he couldn’t sleep all night knowing his family members were still missing in Turkey. He feels helpless.

A strong earthquake occurred early in the morning in Turkey and Syria, followed by a powerful push.

“Our niece and cousins ​​are under destroyed buildings,” Kilic said.

The survivors are asking for help.

“Buildings are destroyed,” Kilic said, describing what he saw during a video call with his family.

As temperatures drop there, many fear the worst.

“You know, it will be cold, maybe it will snow,” Kilic said.

His parents were forced to build a makeshift fire, hiding in a semi-structure.

“There is no power, no electricity,” he said.

A prayer watch has been planned in hopes of bringing some relief to families who are waiting on the phone to hear from their loved ones at the American Turkish Community Center in Dallas.

In addition to relief, families are hoping for some guidance.

“Don’t call your family member who is under the rubble, their battery will run out,” said Hussein Peker of Raindrop of Dallas, a Turkish-American community center.

“Buy containers, send clothes, water—anything we can do to help,” said Khalid Hamide of the Islamic Association of North Texas.