The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 Earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday has risen above 11,000. This comes as rescue operations continue and many remain trapped under collapsed rubble.
Turkey
The death toll from the Earthquake is reported to have risen above 8,574, with nearly 50,000 others reported injured, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised briefing Wednesday, during a visit to disaster areas near the epicenter of Monday’s earthquake.
Erdogan who faces a tough May 14 re-election also pledged to rebuild the damaged regions within a year. He also pushed back on criticism over the government’s response to the disaster during the televised briefing.
Initially there were issues at airports and on the roads, but today, things are getting easier and tomorrow it will be easier still.
“We have mobilised all our resources” he added. “The State is doing its Job.”
Syria
At least 2,530 people have been reported killed across the both government and rebel controlled areas regions of Syria.
Aid agencies and emergency workers say the death toll is likely to increase further with many people still trapped under the rubble, and freezing weather conditions hampering rescue efforts.