Earthquake Death Toll Triples In Third Day As Thousands More Feared Dead

The death toll is from A massive earthquake Officials on Wednesday estimated that the aftershocks in Turkey or Syria reached 11,600, tripling Monday’s figure. When the disaster struck.

Rescue crews continue to work in the rubble of fallen buildings and continue to find grim numbers, many of which are tens or thousands of injured. The World Health Organization warns that the death toll could rise to more than 20,000. The Guardian.

“The first 72 hours are considered to be critical,” Steven Godby is a Nottingham Trent University natural hazards specialist. According to the Associated Press. “The survival ratio on average within 24 hours is 74%, after 72 hours it is 22% and by the fifth day it is 6%.”

The earthquake, an estimated magnitude 7.8 event that hit before dawn Monday, is being described as the world’s deadliest in more than a decade. This region lies on major fault lines, and is subject to frequent earthquakes.

Map animated of seismicity near Turkey. This map shows Feb 6 M7.8 majorshock (pink), early Aftershocks (orange), February 7 M7.5 aftershocks north (tan), as well as subsequent aftershocks north (tan). Bottom graph shows the time versus magnitude progression. pic.twitter.com/TTa7qdZWzO

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) February 7, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who declared seven days of national mourning, said his country was shaken by its “biggest disaster” since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, which killed more than 30,000 people.

Even those who survived remain in danger from freezing temperatures.

“There were children huddled around fires to try and stay warm, and a lot of people sleeping in their cars — entire families,” said Okke Bouwman, a rescue worker for Save the Children, according to The New York Times.

More than 11,000 people have now been confirmed dead in Turkey and Syria following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the region on Monday, the deadliest earthquake the world has seen in over a decade, as rescue efforts continue following the devastating disaster. pic.twitter.com/YbUDfPUx3x

— Forbes (@Forbes) February 8, 2023

The dire situation is complicated by the years-long civil war in Syria. Millions of refugees displaced by the conflict were taking refuge on both sides of Turkish-Syrian border when the quake hit.

However, there is hope as assistance is pouring in from around the world.

President Joe Biden said his administration authorized an “immediate” response. “The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement.