Türkiye earthquake: Death toll surpasses 40000

The head of the disaster management agency (AFAD), Yunus Sezer announced  that the death toll from the earthquakes in Türkiye has risen to 40,642 people.

“Unfortunately, the death toll is growing, at the moment it is 40,642 people. 108,068 people were affected. More than 430,000 people have been taken out of the disaster zone to other areas,” Sezer said at a press conference on Saturday.

Search and rescue efforts will be largely completed as of Sunday evening, Yunus Sezer, the head of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said at the press conference.

On February 6, 2023, a series of strong earthquakes occurred in southeastern Türkiye near the border with Syria. Hundreds of aftershocks caused significant damage on both sides of the border, killing tens of thousands of people and damaging or destroying basic infrastructure, including medical facilities.