The earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria at the beginning of this week has already claimed more than 17,100 lives, according to the latest official balance. At least 14,014 people have died in Turkey, and more than 63,000 have been injured. In neighbouring Syria, there are talks of 3,162 deaths.
Four days after the strong earthquake, the death toll in Turkey and Syria continues to rise. Both countries’ statements mention 14,014 deaths in Turkey and 3,162 deaths in neighbouring Syria. In total, 17,176 people died due to the earthquake, which had a destructive magnitude of 7.8. The World Health Organization fears that at least 20,000 people have been killed.
In addition, the number of injured is rising to more than 63,000 in Turkey alone. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that figure during his visit to the hard-hit city of Gaziantep. According to him, the material damage is also great: 6,400 buildings have been destroyed. He wants to rebuild those destroyed buildings within the year.
Meanwhile, the first United Nations aid convoy has arrived in rebel territory in northwestern Syria. Aid in that country is struggling due to the conflict in the country.
It concerns six trucks with relief supplies. They use the only open Bal al-Hawa border crossing between Syria and Turkey. Due to the damage after the earthquake, those trucks could not reach that border crossing at first, but that damage is said to have been repaired in the meantime. Turkey says two more border crossings may open if it can be done safely.
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