Both Turkey and Syria are grappling with the repercussions of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked the region last Monday, as hopes of finding further survivors dwindles amid freezing temperatures.
The United Nations has recognized failures to support quake victims in Syria, and Turkish police have made more than a dozen arrests in connection with online misinformation “spreading fear and panic amongst citizens.”
Here are the latest headlines:
- Death count rises: The death toll across Turkey and Syria following Monday’s catastrophic earthquake has reached at least 36,217, with 31,643 confirmed dead in Turkey alone. Syria’s death toll of 4,574 includes more than 3,160 in opposition-held regions and 1,414 deaths in government-controlled areas.
- Survivors freed after days under rubble: At least 41 people have been rescued from under the rubble in Turkey between the 141st and 163rd hour since the quake hit. Rescuers continue to search the rubble but authorities have warned the chances of finding survivors are becoming increasingly slim.
- UN attempts “to correct” failures in Syria: A senior UN official has promised to turn the organization's focus to the people of northwest Syria who "rightly feel abandoned." The delivery of urgent supplies to the area has been complicated by a long-running civil war between opposition forces and the Syrian government.
- EU will “mobilize additional support” for Turkey: European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has promised to "bolster aid" to Turkey and respond to requests for who requested tents, blankets and heaters after speaking with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- Turkey arrests 14 on suspicion of earthquake disinformation: Turkish police identified 475 account managers “as being engaged in sharing provocative content” on social media platforms in relation to the earthquake “with the intention of spreading fear and panic among citizens.” Police have arrested 14 people so far.
- A moment of silence before kick-off: European soccer’s governing body UEFA will pay tribute to Turkey and Syria earthquake victims at all Champions League and Europa League matches taking place this week.