The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria rises to at least 2,300
Associated Press report that the death toll from Monday’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has now climbed to over 3000 people.
WARNING: May contain distressing images of dead bodies.
At least 1,498 people were killed across 10 provinces of Turkey, with another 7,600 injured, according to the country’s disaster management agency.
The death toll in government-held areas of Syria rose to more than 430 people, with 1,280 injured, according to data from the health ministry. In the country’s north-west where the government is not in control, groups that operate there said the death toll was at least 380, with many hundreds injured.
The number is expected to continue to rise rapidly, with many people believed to be trapped under rubble in collapsed buildings.
Israel to send help to Turkey and Syria
Israel has said it will send search and rescue and medical teams to both Turkey and Syria.
“This is what we do around the world and this is what we do in areas close to us,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said it was in response to a request from the Turkish government and one which was “also received to do this” for victims in Syria, without specifying the source, According to BBC.
Syria does not recognise Israel and the two countries have been in a state of war since 1948.
Israel and Turkey only restored diplomatic ties in August after Turkey broke off relations after a deadly incident in 2010.
Hundreds dead and buildings destroyed in Syria.
As we’ve been reporting, at least 810 people have been killed in Syria as a result of Monday’s earthquake in neighbouring Turkey, and we have more on where those people were:
- At least 430 people died and 1,315 were injured in government-controlled parts of Syria, according to its health ministry, the AFP news agency reports
- In rebel-held territory in the north-west, at least 380 were killed and more than 1,000 injured, according to the humanitarian group The White Helmets
- The organisation says more than 133 buildings have collapsed, and 272 are partially destroyed
The White Helmets, which operates in rebel-controlled areas of Syria, says the death toll may increase as “hundreds of families are still trapped”.
Biden and Zelensky pledge assistance
We have more reactions from world leaders to news of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, with US President Joe Biden saying he is deeply saddened by the loss of life there.
He also pledged to provide assistance to support the rescue effort.
