Thousands in Turkey and Syria are spending the night outdoors, help on the way

Reuters

People gather around a fire in Hatay

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 07:22

In Turkey and Syria, many earthquake victims spent the night outdoors. Thousands of homes have been destroyed and the many aftershocks made many people afraid to sleep in their homes.

Rescue workers searched continuously for survivors throughout the night. The work was hampered by the winter weather: due to snow, the affected areas are difficult to reach. Meanwhile, help is on the way from many countries.

Nevertheless, the death toll could still rise significantly. About 24 hours after the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, the death toll has risen to at least 4,200. It is estimated that at least 15,000 have been injured. The World Health Organization has warned that the death toll could rise to 20,000.

The search for survivors: ‘Where is my mother’

Last night, the Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported that 2,921 people have been killed and at least 15,000 injured in Turkey so far. The Syrian government says there are at least 1,444 deaths in Syria.

At least 700 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in the Syrian rebel area, the aid organization the White Helmets reported last night.

National mourning

Turkish President Erdogan has declared a week of national mourning. Turkey has asked NATO for emergency field hospitals, among other things.

Material and manpower is on its way or has already arrived from all over the world. For example, last night the Dutch search and rescue team USAR, which consists of 65 people and eight rescue dogs, landed in Turkey.

Rescue teams are also on their way from countries such as Japan and Russia. US President Biden has said that Turkey can count on all possible support and Australia and New Zealand have pledged about 7 million euros in financial aid.

Food and blankets to Damascus

Planes with relief supplies from Iraq and Iran have arrived at Damascus airport. Some 70 tons of food, medical supplies and blankets are on board the Iraqi aircraft, the Syrian state news agency SANA reports.

From all parts of the world, rescue workers, equipment and dogs are sending to the disaster area in Turkey and Syria:

The whole world is sending aid to Turkey and Syria

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