The death toll in Turkey from the earthquakes that hit 11 provinces in the country’s southeast on Feb. 6 has risen to 43,556, authorities reported on Thursday.
The previous balance indicated 42,310.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said people were still found under the rubble of some buildings in Hatay province, which was worst hit by the quake.
According to Soylu, who described the earthquake as “the largest in the world”, 600,000 homes were destroyed.
The minister said authorities had identified half a thousand builders believed to be responsible for structures that failed to meet anti-seismic safety standards. About 160 people were arrested.
The earthquake of February 6, with its epicenter on Turkish territory, and which was followed by several aftershocks, left more than 44,000 dead and 100,000 injured in Turkey and Syria.
Source: DN
