Rescuers are facing heavy rain and snow as they race against time to find survivors of a deadly earthquake in southeast Turkiye.
In Turkiye and Syria, more than 4,800 people were killed and 15,000 injured when the earthquake hit early on Monday.
World Health Organization warning
The World Health Organization has issued a warning that the death toll may sharply increase as rescuers discover additional fatalities.
Rescue teams are intensifying their search for survivors as daybreak approaches.
Many residents of the disaster area are terrified to enter structures again.
US Geological Survey
According to the US Geological Survey, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred on Monday at 04:17 (01:17 GMT). The depth of the earthquake was 17.9 km (11 miles) close to the city of Gaziantep.
According to seismologists, it was one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded in Turkey. 3,381 people died as a result of the earthquake. Moreover, survivors told that the shaking didn’t stop for two minutes.
A subsequent tremor, with a magnitude of 7.5, had its center in the Kahramanmaras province’s Elbistan region. Hence, Kahramanmaras is one of the worst-affected locations.
AFAD’s announcement
Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that around 8,000 individuals have been rescued from more than 4,700 demolished buildings. Furthermore, rescuers in some regions have been searching through the rubble with their own hands for survivors as the aftershocks continue.
Heavy rain hampers earthquake rescuers
Cold is hindering search attempts. A woman was pleading for assistance under a mound of rubble in the southern province of Hatay. Moreover, a local named Deniz stated, “They’re making noises, but nobody is coming,” while sobbing.
