Death toll from earthquake in Turkey and Syria exceeds 15,000

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria exceeded 15,000 this Wednesdayas rescuers race for survivors trapped under rubble in the freezing weather.

Authorities and doctors indicated that 12,391 people died in Turkey and 2,992 in Syria after the earthquake of magnitude 7.8, with which the confirmed balance amounts to 15,383 deaths, details Afp.

Rescue teams in Turkey and Syria continued to save survivors trapped in the rubble of the powerful earthquake on Wednesday against the clock.

For two days and two nights since the magnitude 7.8 quake, thousands of first responders worked in freezing temperatures to find survivors under collapsed buildings on both sides of the border.

The head of the Turkish Red Crescent, Kerem Kinik, warned that the first 72 hours were critical in the rescue efforts, but noted that they were hampered by “severe weather conditions.”

Still, emergency workers were able to save several children found under a collapsed block on Wednesday in Turkey’s hard-hit Hatay province, where entire municipalities have disappeared.

“Suddenly we heard voices… Immediately we heard the voices of three people at the same time,” said lifeguard Alperen Cetinkaya. “We expect more from them (…) the chances of getting people out here alive are very high,” he added.

The head of the WHO Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusHe said that time is running out for the thousands of wounded and missing among the rubble.

As the hours go by, frustration and anger also grows at the scant aid that reaches some areas located in difficult-to-reach areas or affected by geopolitical conflicts in the area.

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoganwho visited Hatay province, on Wednesday “deficiencies” in the earthquake response, saying that “it is impossible to be prepared for such a catastrophe.”

In this context of criticism of the government, Twitter was inaccessible Wednesday on major mobile phone providers. (YO)