Earthquakes Are Feared To Worsen The Cholera Outbreak In Syria, Death Toll Reaches 22 People

The impact of the Turkish earthquake in Syria. (Twitter/@SyrianACD)

JAKARTA - Two people died from pausing in the northwestern region of Syria which was controlled by the opposition after the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey was also felt in the area, a source from the rescue team operating there said on Tuesday.

The quake killed more than 4,000 people in a rebel-controlled zone near the Turkish border, damaging previously vulnerable health and water infrastructure, sparking fears of a spike in disease cases.

Opposition-run civilian defense, known as White Helmets, said the total number of deaths from pagodas recorded in the northwest since the outbreak began last year had risen to 22 people, with 568 non-fat fatal cases reported.

"The collapse of infrastructure, water and sewers after the earthquake increased the possibility of an outbreak of disease," White Helmets said in a tweet.

A report from the UN Security Council last week said the ongoing outbreak had been exacerbated by "severe lack of clean water" across the country.

It is known, first linked in September 2022 to contaminated water near the Erufrat River, the outbreak has spread to various regions in the country that have been hit by war for more than a decade.