The death toll in Turkey and Syria from Monday’s massive earthquakes has risen to 15,383. The number of victims continues to rise sharply. The chance that survivors will be found under the rubble is getting smaller and smaller.
In Turkey, according to counts by the authorities and aid workers, at least 12,391 people have died. In Syria, the death toll stands at 2,992.
Three Dutch people are among the deceased in Turkey. It concerns the 26-year-old man Furkan Kazci from Deventer and two men from Zutphen, the authorities report. NOS and local media. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot yet confirm the three deaths.
The other two Dutch victims are 87-year-old Hamis Köse and his 53-year-old son Yilmaz Köse. Another son Sal Köse is still missing.
Aid workers are present everywhere, but providing aid in Syria remains difficult
Relief troops from all over Europe have come to the disaster area. The aid workers are also trying to get to Syria, but that is difficult. The disaster area is at war and President Bashar Al Assad has not released a large part for aid troops.
Turkey is therefore working on two border crossings. But the damage to the Syrian side of the road leading to the Cilvegozu border crossing is causing difficulties in delivering aid to Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu said on Wednesday.
That border gate is the only artery used by the United Nations for humanitarian aid to the rebel-controlled part of Syria. Due to the damage to the road, the help is difficult.
