February 9th 2023

Turkey-Syria earthquake: More than 20,000 people confirmed dead - as hope fades for more survivors

by Sky News

More than 20,000 people are now confirmed to have died in a devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The total number who are recorded to have been killed is now 20,451, made up of 17,134 in Turkey and 3,317 in Syria.

Both countries were hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that reduced buildings to rubble and separated families.

The crucial 72-hour window - in which people are most likely to be found alive - has now passed, but one rescuer said there is still a little hope of finding further survivors.

David O'Neill, from the UK International Search and Rescue Team, told Sky News his teams were still finding people alive among the debris.

"It is surprising, but it is encouraging," said Mr O'Neill.

"The way these buildings have collapsed they leave many survivable voids within them and given the time that this happened, a lot of people are wrapped up in bedding and such."

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing growing criticism from families left frustrated by a slow response from rescue teams, as hope dwindles that more survivors will be found.

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