Search operations for quake survivors stops in NW Syria
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – Search operations for survivors under buildings collapsed due to the earthquake on Feb. 6 came to an end in northwest Syria as the town of Jindires west of Afrin, north of Aleppo, has been marked as the most devastated area in Syria.
On the same day, Civil Defense (White Helmet, affiliated to Syrian opposition) announced the start recovering bodies from under the collapsed buildings.
The toll of dead has reached 2.166 ones, while the injuries have reached 2.950 in the opposition-held areas.
In Jindires, 513 deaths and 831 injury cases were recorded, while more than 200 buildings were completely destroyed and about 500 other buildings were partially damaged.
In Syria, 479 buildings were completely and 1.481 others were partially destroyed.
Lack of capabilities and effective equipment was a main reason in hindering and delaying rescue operations as most destroyed buildings are four-story, according to the statement.
One of the main difficulties that rescue teams faced was fuel shortage, the statement added.
On Feb. 9, an official of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said other Syrian parties, including the Syrian opposition, were hindering the arrival of aid the AANES has prepared to be sent to the areas hit by the earthquake.
Earlier, president of the Interim Government, Abdurrahman Mustafa, refused to allow entry of humanitarian aid coming from the AANES through crossings like Umm Jloud in the countryside of Manbij east of Aleppo.
Many people died under rubble due to postponing aid, fuel shortage and the inability of rescue teams to work for 24 hours, according to activists on the ground in Idlib.