The massive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this Monday has already claimed more than 11,700 deaths in total, according to the latest balance provided by official authorities and doctors on Wednesday.
In Turkey, 9,057 people died, while 2,662 people lost their lives in Syria after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, the same sources reported.
On Syrian territory, emergency teams and local authorities reported 5,000 injured.
In the morning of this Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that about 50,000 people were injured during his visit to the earthquake-affected areas.
The Turkish president acknowledged “lacunae” in the authorities’ response to the earthquake that hit his country, but denounced the “unfair” criticism. “Of course there were gaps, it is impossible to be prepared for a disaster of this magnitude”Erdogan said, traveling to Hatay province, one of the hardest hit and close to the Syrian border.
“Some dishonest and shameless people have made false statements as if we have not seen any soldiers or police” in Hatay province, denounced the Turkish leader and assured that the police and soldiers “are honorable people”. “We will not allow people who are not very commendable to refer to them in this way”, condemning.
The Turkish president stated that 21,000 aid workers have been deployed in Hatay province alone. “By acting in this way, we will respond to the disaster in such a way that we do not leave anyone under the rubble, nor do anyone suffer.”he promised, less than four months before the presidential election.
In the rubble of buildings in a dozen towns in southern and southeastern Turkey devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that also hit northern Syria, survivors waiting for help have sharply criticized the Turkish government, and in particular Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003, when they referred to his “abandonment” out in the cold.
Following the growing criticism of the authorities’ actions, Twitter is now unreachable on the main Turkish mobile providers. Internet watchdog netblocks.org noted that access to Twitter was restricted “through various internet access providers in Turkey”.
“Turkey has a long history of social media restrictions during national emergencies and security incidents,” it added.
Turkish police arrested 12 people after Monday’s earthquake over social media posts criticizing the government’s handling of the disaster.
Turkish social networks are full of messages from people complaining about the absence of aid organizations and searches for victims in their area, especially in Hatay province.
Turkish officials did not immediately respond to service disruptions.
However, they have repeatedly warned against spreading disinformation ahead of the crucial May 14 elections, where Erdogan is seeking re-election.
Rescue workers have still managed to find survivors in the rubble, even as chances of survival are dwindling, two days after the violent earthquake and whose balance continues to deteriorate with at least 11,700 dead in Turkey and Syria.
Source: DN
