Thursday, March 28, 2024

Earthquake: 2921 dead in Turkey, death toll rises to 1444 in Syria

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria searched through the frigid night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after a major earthquake killed more than 4,300 people and toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region.

Turkish authorities have confirmed the deaths of 2,921 people after its southeastern region bordering Syria was rocked by major earthquakes. A further 1,444 people are confirmed to have died in Syria.

Yunus Sezer, who heads the AFAD agency, said an additional 15,384 people were injured, while 6,217 buildings have collapsed in Turkey.

The two quakes were followed by 243 aftershocks, he said, adding that 16,400 rescue workers were active in the affected areas.

Earlier, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said a total of 7,840 people have been rescued from the rubble as 11,022 search and rescue teams are working in the field. He added that 338,000 earthquake victims have been housed in dormitories, universities and shelters.

Meanwhile, Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid.

The earthquake-damaged area in Syria is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by government forces and borders Turkey.

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