The death toll from the earthquake has surpassed 33,000 as rescue efforts continue. Turkish authorities have taken legal action in response to the building collapses caused by the disaster and are working to maintain stability in the affected areas.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria last Monday, killing over 33,000 people and leaving many others injured and homeless. As the search and rescue operations are still on, the survivor count has only been on the decline. The earthquake is the deadliest ever to hit Turkey and Syria since 1939 and the death toll continues to rise.
In addition to the physical destruction, the disaster has brought to light a number of social and political issues in the affected areas.
Legal action in response to building collapses
The Turkish authorities have taken legal action in response to the building collapses caused by the earthquake. 131 individuals have been identified as responsible for the collapse of some of the thousands of buildings affected in the 10 affected provinces. The Turkish Vice President, Fuat Oktay, has stated that the necessary judicial process will be followed thoroughly until its conclusion, particularly for buildings that caused fatalities and injuries.
Survivors rescued from the rubble
Rescue efforts are still underway and a few survivors have been rescued from the rubble over the weekend, including a father and daughter, a toddler, and a 10-year-old girl. The rescue of Malik Milandi, a 54-year-old Syrian man who was trapped in the rubble for 156 hours, was a particularly notable success for the Chinese and Turkish rescuers. However, such scenes are becoming less common as the death toll continues to rise.
Reports of looting increase
Reports of looting have increased in the affected areas, particularly in Antakya, a city heavily impacted by the earthquake. The possibility of finding more survivors becomes less likely as time passes. Business owners have cleared out their shops to avoid theft by looters. President Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the government will take firm action against looters as he prepares for a crucial upcoming election.
President Erdogan faces criticism
The earthquake presents a challenge for President Erdogan, whose popularity has already been declining due to inflation and a weakening Turkish currency. Some of those affected by the earthquake and opposition politicians have criticized the government’s slow and insufficient relief efforts in the early stages of the disaster. Additionally, there has been criticism as to why the army, which played a crucial role after the 1999 earthquake, was not brought in sooner. President Erdogan has acknowledged the difficulties faced, such as delivering aid to damaged transport links, but stated that the situation has been brought under control.
Delivery of aid in Syria is complicated by civil war
The ongoing civil war in Syria is now hampering relief efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake. Delivery of aid from government-controlled areas into territory held by opposition groups is being delayed due to approval issues with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls much of the region. The UN is hoping to increase cross-border operations by opening two additional border points between Turkey and Syria for aid deliveries. The first shipment of European aid for the earthquake arrived in Damascus on Sunday.
The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has had a devastating impact on the affected areas and the death toll continues to rise. The disaster has brought to light a number of social and political issues, including reports of looting, criticism of the government’s response and the delivery of aid in Syria being complicated by the ongoing civil war.
Despite the challenges faced, rescue efforts continue and aid is being delivered to those in need. The UN is calling for immediate access to humanitarian aid for all those affected in Syria and is urging the Syrian government and other parties to take action.
The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and unity in the face of natural disasters.