The death toll from this week’s devastating earthquakes in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria is expected to exceed 56,000 people, United Nations emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths said.
“I think it’s difficult to estimate precisely what we need to hide under the rubble, but I’m sure it will be doubled or more,” Griffiths told Sky News. “It’s terrifying. This is nature fighting back in a really harsh way.”
A pair of magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 quakes struck nine hours apart on Monday, toppling buildings and destroying structures.
STUNNING DEATH TOLL FROM TURKEY EARTHQUAKE INCLUDES AT LEAST 3 US CITIZENS: STATE DEPARTMENT
Around 13.5 million people live in the most devastated area, which is approximately 500 kilometers in diameter. The death toll had risen to at least 33,185 by Sunday afternoon.
A massive search and rescue operation was still in force on Sunday, involving 34,717 Turkish troops along with 9,595 troops from 74 other countries. First responders were using thermal cameras to search for survivors under piles of concrete.
Meanwhile, Turkish officials have begun to point to faulty construction and lax building codes for the extent of the devastation.
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At least 131 people are under investigation for their role in constructing buildings that collapsed during the quake, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Sunday.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
