Death toll exceeds 21,000 after Turkiye-Syria earthquake

Death toll exceeds 21,000 after Turkiye-Syria earthquake
Rescue workers pull out a young woman from a collapsed building in Adiyaman, on Thursday, February 9. [Emrah Gurel/AP Photo]

ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (News Agencies /APP Web Desk): The combined death toll in Turkiye and Syria from Monday’s earthquakes has surpassed 21,000, and the disaster has left thousands of people homeless and in need of urgent shelter and aid, according to country’s officials.

At least 18,342 people have been killed in Turkey, according to the country’s officials — surpassing the toll from the devastating 1999 earthquake in that country.

At least 3,377 people are known to have died in Syria.

The World Bank has promised $1.78bn to Turkey in relief and recovery assistance.

UN chief Antonio Guterres is calling on the international community to provide more money for earthquake relief and has announced a donor conference for next week.

Death toll exceeds 21,000 after Turkiye-Syria earthquake
A damaged building is seen in Adiyaman, southern Turkey [Emrah Gurel/AP Photo]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that 14 trucks carrying humanitarian aid had crossed into northwestern Syria from Turkey.

“These convoys are carrying electric heaters, tents, blankets and other items to assist these people who have been displaced as a result of this catastrophic earthquake,” said spokesperson Paul Dillon, adding that the aid was bound for Idlib.

Death toll exceeds 21,000 after Turkiye-Syria earthquake
Trucks with aid for Syria follow a UN vehicle at the Turkish crossing point of Cilvegozu, in Reyhanli, southeastern Turkey [Hussein Malla/The Associated Press]



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