Bad weather and the scale of the disaster are creating challenges for aid teams, according to Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca.
“The weather conditions and the scale of the disaster make it difficult for our teams to access the area,” Koca told a press conference, adding that “our helicopters were unable to take off today in due to weather conditions”.
Parts of southern Turkey and northern Syria have been hit by heavy snowstorms in recent days, with new forecasts of sub-zero temperatures.
All state institutions have been mobilized in the recovery effort, including the national police, municipal employees, the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and the Gendarmerie, a general armed law enforcement organization. law which is part of the Ministry of the Interior.
At least 2,256 emergency health personnel have so far reached the earthquake-hit provinces, the health minister said.
At least 602 ambulances and two ambulance planes were dispatched from nearby towns. In addition, 187 teams forming part of the National Medical Relief Team of Turkey (UMKE) were also dispatched.
“We have moved teams from surrounding provinces to the region,” the minister said.
Iskenderun State Hospital, a hospital in the city of Iskenderun, collapsed due to the earthquake.
“We are trying to save medical workers and patients there,” Koca said. “These kinds of disasters can only be overcome through solidarity.”
