APOCALYPTIC PROPORTIONS - AFAD: Death toll from earthquakes in Turkey reaches 40,642

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey has risen to 40,642, said the head of Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Yunus Sezer.

According to him, more than 5,700 aftershocks have been recorded in the areas affected by two devastating earthquakes.

"Today we again had good news in search and rescue operations. We had citizens who survived for the 13th day. This gave us both hope and joy. Unfortunately, the number of our citizens who lost their lives is increasing. The death toll has risen to 40,642," Sezer stated.

According to him, search and rescue operations have largely been concluded.

"Yesterday, search and rescue operations were carried out in about 200 buildings in Hatay. Today, it has been reduced to 98, and from tomorrow, we will largely come to an end here. Likewise, we have 19 buildings left in Kahramanmaraş. Our work here, including the Ebrar site, continues," Sezer explained.

He said that 13,000 people are working on search and rescue in Hatay.

Sezer thanked the international search and rescue units of 11,488 people from 80 countries for their support.

Earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 on the Richter scale, with their epicenters in Kahramanmaraş province, affected 11 provinces, destroying thousands of buildings and impacting more than 13 million people.