#Turkiye-Syria #earthquake death toll surpasses 50,000
ANTAKYA/ANKARA (MNP) – The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria that struck on Feb. 6 surpassed 50,000 on Friday after Turkiye declared more than 44,000 people died.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the death toll in Turkiye due to earthquakes rose to 44,218 on Friday night.
With Syria’s latest announced death toll of 5,914, the combined death toll in the two countries rose to above 50,000.
TURKIYE BEGINS TO REBUILD FOR 1.5 MLN LEFT HOMELESS BY EARTHQUAKES
Turkiye has begun work to rebuild homes following this month’s devastating earthquakes, a government official said on Friday, as the combined death toll in Turkiye and Syria surpassed 50,000.
More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in the Feb. 6 earthquakes that killed tens of thousands in Turkiye and neighbouring Syria.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced the death toll in Turkiye due to earthquakes rose to 44,218 on Friday night.
With Syria’s latest announced death toll of 5,914, the combined death toll in the two countries rose to above 50,000.
Facing an election within months, President Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to rebuild homes within a year, although experts have said the authorities should put safety before speed. Some buildings that were meant to withstand tremors crumbled in the latest earthquakes.
“For several projects, tenders and contracts have been done. The process is moving very fast,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding there would be no compromise on safety.
