Death toll in Turkey earthquake crosses 11200, rescue teams race against time

The confirmed death toll in the devastating earthquakes that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday has shot past the 11, 200 mark while the number of people injured has been put at 42,259, according to a CNN report from Ankara

Orhan Tatar, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency’s general director (AFAD), said that at least 5,775 buildings collapsed after the earthquake struck Turkey.

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria were working amid sub-zero temperatures in a race against time to find survivors under the rubble. Thousands of people have been left on the streets burning debris to try to stay warm as international aid began to arrive.

An India army team of 100 medical specialists and paramedical staff have also flown to Turkey to help in the rescue operations. The team includes general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, critical care specialists and dental officers, said a senior officer at the Indian Air Force base in Hindon near Delhi.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that around 7,500 Turkish soldiers are working in the earthquake-affected region to assist with rescue operations.

He said an additional 1,500 personnel will join the team on Wednesday and 75 military aircraft have been dispatched to the region, CNN reported.

Akar said that nine commando battalions have arrived in the region from the west and four commando battalions from Cyprus are also expected to reach the affected area.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in 10 southern provinces which were hit by massive quakes, Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “Both earthquakes were experienced at a distance of 7 kilometres that exponentially increased the severity of the destruction,” Anadolu Agency reported.

“It has caused great destruction in a very wide area compared to their counterparts. Therefore, we are faced with one of the biggest disasters not only in our Republic’s history but also in our geography and the world,” Erdogan.

As per the Anadolu Agency report, Erdogan emphasized that considering the devastating effect of the earthquake, they ordered expert personnel and vehicles from all over the country to immediately move to the region. He stated that despite the difficulties caused by the weather conditions, the teams struggled selflessly to reach the disaster region and participate in the work.