Over 15,000 Confirmed Dead In Turkey, Syria Earthquakes

 

Over 15,000 persons have been confirmed dead in the earthquakes that rocked Turkey and Syria some days ago.

 

AFP reported that at least 12,873 people were killed in Turkey, while 2,950 died in Syria.

 

Officials say the chances of finding survivors are dwindling, and residents in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria are criticising what they call slow search and rescue efforts.

 

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted “shortcomings” in his government’s response, while touring some of the worst-affected areas in southern Turkey.

 

Two days after a series of earthquakes struck southern Turkey, relief efforts have yet to reach some areas of the country.

 

The province of Hatay, which is home to approximately 500,000 Syrian refugees, has been particularly hard hit, with rescue teams overwhelmed by the level of destruction.

 

Aid has been delayed due to significant damage to roads and the civilian airport near Antakya, the provincial capital.