Over 5,000 Deaths in Turkiye-Syria Earthquake Within a Day (Comprehensive)

Turkey-Syria Death Toll Reaches 5,021
Severe Weather Hampers Rescue, Golden Time Expected in Next 24 Hours

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The death toll from the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and Syria has exceeded 5,000 within a day, with casualties continuing to rise.

According to major foreign news agencies including the Associated Press, Fuat Oktay, Vice President of Turkey, announced on the 7th (local time) that 3,419 people have died and 20,534 have been injured so far due to the earthquake. Following consecutive strong tremors measuring 7.8 and 7.5 in magnitude and several aftershocks the previous day, more than 6,000 buildings have collapsed in Turkey alone, and the number of casualties is expected to increase.

Casualties are also mounting in the northwestern region of Syria. The Syrian Ministry of Health reported that 812 people have died and 10,450 have been injured in government-controlled areas. The Syrian opposition's civilian rescue group, the "White Helmets," stated that at least 790 people have died and more than 2,200 have been injured in opposition-controlled areas. The total death toll in Turkey and Syria has reached 5,021. The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected that up to 23 million people could be affected by the strong earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Vice President Oktay said that more than 8,000 people have been rescued so far, but rescue operations are facing difficulties due to severe weather conditions. The three most affected regions?Hatay, Kahramanmara?, and Adıyaman?are currently allowing only rescue and relief vehicles to pass, and rescue efforts are being concentrated in these areas.

The risk from aftershocks remains high. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported that on the morning of the day following the earthquake, at around 6:13 a.m., a magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in central Turkey. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that damaged road infrastructure is causing trucks and heavy equipment carrying relief supplies to take 8 to 10 hours to reach the affected areas.

Unable to wait for rescue teams and equipment, residents of Turkey and Syria are digging through building debris with their bare hands to find family and neighbors. The cold weather hitting these areas is also a critical factor. Temperatures in Turkey are expected to remain below freezing until the 7th. The British BBC warned, "The next 24 hours are effectively the 'golden time'?the last chance to find survivors," adding, "After 48 hours, deaths from hypothermia will surge."

Murat Kurum, Turkey's Minister of Urbanization, described the situation as "an indescribable pain," emphasizing that every second counts. He urged people not to lose hope, citing past earthquakes where rescues were made after 100 hours.