JAKARTA - Turkish police have arrested a man suspected of trying to kidnap a baby from a hospital in southern Turkey, state media reported, following the earthquake that hit the region.

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale caused damage in Turkey's southeast and parts of Syria, killing more than 41,000 people, leaving millions displaced in both countries.

A man was admitted to hospital pretending to be the police chief in Samandag District, Hatay Province, which was hit by an earthquake, according to Anadolu news agency.

"The hospital staff realized their actual police identity card was fake and called the police," Anadolu news agency said as reported by The National News on February 17.

When officers arrested the man, they found fake police and military identity cards, gold, Turkish lira, dollars and euros worth about $6,500.

However, the news agency did not provide information about the baby.

Previously, some parents in the region had expressed concern over child kidnapping rumors.

Turkish Family Minister Derya Yanik on Monday said at least 1,362 children had been separated from their families as a result of the earthquake.

The latest incident comes days after gunmen stormed a hospital in northern Syria where Aya, a baby born in the rubble of the earthquake, was being treated, a hospital official said.

The official told the Associated Press the attackers beat the clinic doctor.


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