More than 20,000 people are now confirmed to have died in a disastrous earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early on Monday.
Türkiye’s disaster and emergency management authority reported that at least 17,134 people have died in the country, while in Syria, the death toll stands at 3,317 deaths.
Both countries experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that reduced buildings to rubles, trapping many families underneath them.
Search and rescue missions are facing the challenge of fuel and truck shortages, blocked roads, and slow access to relief materials.
The Turkish president is facing growing scrutiny from citizens frustrated with the slow response of the rescue effort.
“It is not possible to be prepared for such a disaster. We will not leave any of our citizens uncared for,” said Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The earthquake hit southeastern Türkiye and northwestern Syria, leaving many dead and millions injured.
Meanwhile, six UN lorries carrying aid have now crossed the border from Turkey to Syria, marking the first international relief reaching Syria.
