The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 11,700, officials and doctors said on Wednesday.
They explained that 9,057 people died in Turkey and 2,662 people in Syria, 50,000 people were injured in Turkey and 5,000 people in Syria in the 7.8 earthquake on Monday.
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today that the death toll from the earthquake in Turkey has exceeded 9,000. Erdogan said from the quake-hit city of Hatay: “So far, the death toll has reached 9,057, 52,979 people have been injured, and 6,444 buildings have been destroyed.”
Erdogan condemns criticism
The Turkish President acknowledged that there were “gaps” in the response to the earthquake that hit his country and Syria, and said during a visit to the hardest hit province of Hatay (south), located on the border with Syria: “Of course, there are gaps. … It is impossible to prepare for such a disaster.”
Denouncing criticism of the government’s efforts in the aftermath of the earthquakes, he told reporters, “This is a time of unity and solidarity. At a time like this, I can’t stand those who campaign negatively for political interests.”
According to him, it is impossible to prepare for such a disaster, but the government will speed up the removal of rubble and housing construction.
medicines
In this regard, the World Health Organization said it would send expert teams and planes with medical supplies to Turkey and Syria.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a media briefing today that the organization will send a high-level delegation to coordinate relief efforts in addition to three medical flights, one of which is already on its way to Istanbul.
In turn, Dr. Iman Al-Shankiti, WHO Representative in Syria, said that the health needs are enormous.
Remarkably, the earthquake, which hit southern Turkey at dawn on Monday, had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving thousands injured, homeless and dead.
