Deaths of earthquake in Turkey, Syria approach 5.000
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Thirty hours after the devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday at dawn, the toll of deaths has reached 4.896 dead and more than 24.000 injured.
From Monday at dawn to Tuesday morning, the death toll of the earthquakes and aftershocks that struck Syria has mounted to 1.515.
The Syrian Ministry of Health, Civil Defense in the opposition-held Idlib and the Health Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced that 3.605 were wounded as an unlimited final toll.
In Turkey, the deaths have mounted to 3.381 and injuries to 20.426, according the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).
Turkish authorities noted that the earthquake leveled 5.775 buildings, and 11.302 others were reported collapsed and have not yet been confirmed.
Earlier today, World Health Organization (WHO) expects the toll of victims in both countries will double four times in the week to follow since the strong earthquake struck vast residential areas.
Hundreds are believed to still be trapped under the rubble of thousands of the collapsed buildings in both countries as the harsh winter weather aftershocks are only compounding and hindering rescues teams’ work.