Turkey Earthquake Death Victims Reach 15 Thousand People, President Erdoğan: Our Job is Not Easy

JAKARTA - The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Turkey Monday has risen to more than 15.000 according to authorities, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government is continuing to do its best although it will not be easy.

Authorities say the death toll in Turkey and Syria has reached 15.383. Casualties in Turkey jumped by more than 3.000 in a matter of hours and are now 12.391, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency said on Thursday, as citing CNN, February 9.

Meanwhile, the total number of deaths in Syria is at least 2.992, including 1.730 in rebel-held areas in the northwest, according to the "White Helmets" civil defense group, as well as an additional 1.262 deaths in government-held parts of Syria.

President Erdoğan promised to take every necessary step, not to leave his citizens, while visiting several locations affected by the earthquake.

According to him, the first response to the natural disaster was hampered by problems at the airport and highways, but now the conditions are said to be under control.

"There is no doubt that our work is not easy. Difficult weather conditions added to the magnitude and prevalence of the damage caused by this earthquake, which was felt in an area of ​​500 kilometers inhabited by around 13.5 million people," President Erdogan said.

"Nevertheless, we mobilized all the resources of the state and nation and directed them to the disaster areas," he said.

"Of course there are deficiencies. The conditions are clear. It is impossible to prepare for such a disaster. We will not leave our citizens unnoticed," he stressed.

It is known, President Erdogan has declared a state of emergency for the next three months, which applies to 10 provinces affected by the earthquake.