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Rabat – The death toll from the heartbreaking earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria on February 6 has exceeded 29,000.
The number of people who died due to the earthquake in Turkiye reached 24,617 as of Sunday, while over 4,500 victims have been reported dead in Syria.
Rescue teams are racing to help other survivors, while others help pulling the dead bodies from beneath the rubble.
The UN is fearing that the number of deaths will continue to rise.
UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths said he expected tens of thousands more deaths.
“I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I’m sure it will double or more,” he said
The UN official described the situation as “terrifying” and stressed that “this is nature striking back in a really harsh way.”
“It’s deeply shocking … the idea that these mountains of rubble still hold people, some of them still alive,” he added.
Six Moroccans are among people who have died from the earthquake in Turkiye.
The alarming situation in the two countries is causing frustration among UN officials, who are urging the international community for solidarity and support.
As part of its support plan, Germany announced temporary visas for Turkish and Syrian earthquake victims.
“This is emergency aid,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized.
“We want to allow Turkish or Syrian families in Germany to bring their close relatives from the disaster area to their homes without bureaucracy,” Faeser said.
The Chinese government also offered 53 tonnes of tents to Turkiye as part of its aid plan.
