Deaths from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria total almost 19,400

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes reaches almost 19,400 this Thursday, of which 16,170 have been recorded in Turkey and 3,192 in Syria. In addition, there are some 70,000 wounded of varying degrees.

In Turkey the number of injured reaches 64,194, while the count of buildings demolished by tremors remains the same compared to yesterday, with 6,444.

The latest balance of victims was offered by the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also denounced looting in some areas and promised a harsh response.

“Unfortunately there is looting of markets in some places. The State reacts to that by means of the state of emergencythe president said in a public statement in Gaziantep, a large city located east of the quake’s epicenter.

According to the president, the three-month state of emergency will enter into force today after receiving the approval of Parliament, where his party, the AKP, has a majority.

“Let’s intervene against looting with these powers”, assured Erdogan, who also attacked the opposition and the media critical of his management of the disaster.

“The State of exception will give the State the opportunity to fight against those who abuse the process (rescue and reconstruction)”, warned Erdogan, who in May intends to revalidate his position in the presidential elections.

The opposition, led by the social democratic party CHP, but also numerous users on social networks, criticizes the emergency management of the authorities after the earthquakes.

In Syria, the official death toll now stands at 3,192 and the number of injured at 5,235, while rescue efforts continue in the five hardest-hit provinces of the country with little hope of finding survivors.

Rescue workers warned that the numbers could continue to rise as many people remain trapped under rubble on the fourth day of emergency operations after the initial quake hit on Monday and was followed by multiple aftershocks.

Source: EFE