Turkish authorities Wednesday said the updated death toll resulting from Monday’s earthquake has risen to 8,364 and added that rescue workers are still searching for trapped survivors.
The latest information released by authorities was supported by rescue groups and medics who said 5,894 people have died in the transcontinental nation and 2,470 people have died in neighboring Syria.
A humanitarian aid group representing the European Union announced on Twitter that they are working with Turkish authorities to help.
Muhammad Inuwa, a Nigerian student based in the city of Elazig, said the earthquake has left him and his family in fear for their lives.
“I was at home when the earthquake took place and I heard the shaking which was really terrible and I had to stop whatever I was doing because I could hear people shouting outside,” said Inuwa.
The West African student further said he is based in one of the 10 affected Turkish cities.
“My city is Elazig, one of the 10 cities that were affected but we thank God that our city is not that much destroyed,” he said.
“We have the least amount of houses that have been dilapidated but activities such as buying groceries are still open, so you can go buy your things without any problems though it’s really cold here because it’s snowing,” he added.
Ali Sagiroglu, a Turkish based in the city of Kahramanmaraş said help has been slow to arrive.
“Look around here, there is no state official here,” said Sagiroglu, adding, “for two days we haven’t seen the state around here and children are freezing from the cold.”
VOA's James Butty compiled this report. Some of the information came from Agence France-Presse.
