The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has now risen to more than 20,000. The chances of any survivors being pulled out from under the rubble are getting smaller and smaller. Meanwhile, people find themselves in appalling conditions, partly due to the low temperatures. This is the state of affairs in the disaster area.
Survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria could face another disaster due to the cold and snow. The health organization WHO warned of this on Thursday.
According to the WHO, many survivors are now camping in small tents. There is also a lack of water, electricity and fuel.
“There is a real risk of a secondary disaster, which could harm even more people if we don’t act with the same pace and intensity on the search and rescue side,” said WHO manager Robert Holden.
It is colder than normal in both Turkey and Syria. For example, the temperature in the Syrian city of Aleppo dropped to -3 and -2 degrees this weekend, while it is usually 2.5 degrees around this time of year.
Chance of survivors in Syria is getting smaller
Ninety hours after Monday’s earthquake, the chances of people in Syria being pulled alive from the rubble are getting smaller. Aid organization the White Helmets warns against this, which is committed to victims in the rebel-controlled part of Syria.
Due to the passage of time, a “critical point” has been reached, according to the organization. Survivors find it increasingly difficult to survive under the rubble, which will increase the death toll. “We need international help,” the organization writes on Twitter.
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Dutch rescue team continues to search for survivors on Friday
The Dutch search and rescue team USAR will continue its search for survivors in the disaster area in Turkey on Friday morning. “After a long day of searching, all our team members are inside,” reports USAR.
On Thursday, the team found no survivors. Two other teams did rescue five people on the basis of information from the Dutch rescue team.
The team’s four groups of rescuers will be deployed simultaneously on Friday to two new areas in Hatay, close to the Syrian border.
