DAMASCUS/BEIRUT, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Deputy Minister of Health Ahmad Damiriyeh on Monday confirmed 111 deaths and over 500 injuries, due to an earthquake that struck the region, according to the state news agency.

The Syrian Arab News Agency quoted Damiriyeh as saying that general emergency plans have been implemented to provide for the affected areas and that private hospitals have been ordered to receive all injured cases.

The Syrian Ministry of Transport announced earlier the suspension of train traffic on all railways as a precautionary measure, pending inspection of the bridges and tracks of the railway network.

The powerful earthquake was also felt across Lebanon, where people drove their vehicles areas away from buildings, hoping to stay safe from possible subsequent quakes.

People in Tripoli and surrounding areas fired bullets in the air to wake those asleep for fear of further tremors and damage.