The UN Reminds Turkey Earthquake Death Toll in Syria Can Continue to Increase, President Assad Thanks Arab Countries

JAKARTA - The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Turkey last week has exceeded 41,000 people, as the United Nations warns that the death toll in Syria could continue to grow.

Officials and medics said 38,044 people died in Turkey and 3,688 in Syria from the February 6 quake, bringing the total confirmed to 41,732, reported The National News January 17.

Most recently, Turkish rescue teams on Thursday lifted a 17-year-old girl and a woman in her 20s from the rubble, nearly 11 full days after the 7.8-magnitude shocks hit.

In Turkey, it became the country's deadliest natural disaster in post-Ottoman history.

Meanwhile in Syria, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Syria said on Thursday the death toll in the country was likely to continue to rise, as teams attempt to remove debris in the worst-affected areas.

So far, the United Nations has reported a death toll of around 6,000 for all of Syria, including 4,400 in the rebel-held northwest.

The figures are higher than those reported by government authorities in Damascus and civil defense officials in the northwest, who have reported 1,414 and 2,274 deaths respectively.

"We hope this number doesn't increase much. But from what we've seen... the devastation of this earthquake really doesn't give us much hope that this will be the end," said Muhannad Hadi.

Muhannad Hadi also defended the UN's response to the disaster, which was criticized by many in Syria as slow and inadequate.

Separately, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad thanked "Arab brothers" for providing assistance to his country, in a televised address.

Some 120 planes carrying relief supplies have landed at Syrian airports, with the UAE supplying the country with 41 planes. Saudi Arabia has also sent two planes carrying aid to Syria.

"We cannot neglect saying thanks to all the countries that supported us from the first hours of the disaster, from among our Arab brothers and our friends," said President Al Assad.

The Syrian president said he had also received calls from leaders in Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan.

He added that the magnitude of the disaster this time could consume more Syrian resources than available.