The death toll from this week’s devastating earthquakes in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria is expected to exceed 56,000, UN emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths said.
“I think it’s difficult to estimate precisely why we have to go under rubble, but I’m sure it will double or more,” Griffiths told Sky News. “It’s terrifying. This is nature reacting really hard.”
A pair of earthquakes measuring 7.8 and 7.5 struck nine hours apart on Monday, toppling buildings and destroying structures
INCREDIBLE DEATH TOTAL FROM TURKEY EARTHQUAKE INCLUDES AT LEAST 3 US CITIZENS: DEPARTMENT OF STATE
About 13.5 million people live in the most devastated area, which is about 310 miles in diameter. The death toll had risen to at least 33,185 on Sunday afternoon.
A massive search and rescue operation was still underway on Sunday, with 34,717 Turkish personnel joined by 9,595 personnel from 74 other countries. First responders were using thermal cameras to search under concrete piles for survivors.
Turkish officials, meanwhile, have begun pointing to faulty construction and lax building regulations for the extent of the devastation.
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At least 131 people are being investigated for their role in the construction of buildings that collapsed in the earthquake, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
