The death toll from the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this week has reached 9,638 on Wednesday, with rescue efforts becoming "harder" due to freezing weather in the two countries, authorities said.
In its latest update, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said the overall death toll currently stood at 7,108, while the number of injured persons increased to 40,910, reports Anadolu News Agency.
More than 96,670 search and rescue teams are currently conducting operations in the field, the AFAD said.
"As a result of the negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,309 personnel coming from other countries for help were dispatched to the disaster area," it added.
Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams were also sent to the affected areas.
A total of 70,818 family tents were set up to shelter survivors, AFAD said, adding that 5,434 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and dozers, were sent to the disaster area.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Kahramanmaras and Hatay, two of the worst-hit regions, later on Wednesday, the BBC quoted his office as saying.
He will also go to Pazarcik, epicentre of Monday's quake.
In Syria, at least 2,530 people have died in both government-controlled areas and rebel-held regions, while nearly 4,000 others were injured.
Aid agencies and rescue workers say the death toll is likely to increase further with many people still trapped under the rubble.
Meanwhile, rescue workers have not been able to access all the disaster areas as a cold and wet weather system is moving through the quake-hit region in the two countries, plunging temperatures below freezing.
Temperatures are already bitterly low, but are forecast to fall several degrees below zero on Wednesday.
Scattered showers and snow in the region are expected to continue, putting the lives of those trapped underneath the rubble, who have already gone days without food and water, at risk of hypothermia, reports CNN.
The World Health Organization has also warned that the death toll in the two countries could end up surpassing 20,000.
The earthquake-stricken region in Turkey is also home to hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees who have fled the civil war in their homeland.
The devastating 7.8 tremor struck Turkey's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4.17 a.m. on Monday morning, which was followed by a 6.4-magnitude temblor a few minutes later in Gaziantep province.
The epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude quake was 23 km east of Nurdagi in Gaziantep, at a depth of 24.1 km.
At around 1.30 p.m, a third 7.5-magnitude tremor hit Kahramanmaras, which officials said was "not an aftershock".
Turkey's southern province of Hatay and Syria's northern Aleppo city suffered the biggest casualties, while Lebanon, Israel and Cyprus also felt the tremor.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency on Tuesday in the 10 provinces.
Turkey is also observing a seven-day period of national mourning.
Govt targets to make Tripura self-reliant in fish production: Minister Sudhangshu Das
The state fishery minister Sudhangshu Das on Tuesday said that the government has targeted to make the state self-reliant in fish production and accordingly the government has taken multifaceted initiative to boost fish production in the state.
Tourism to bring alternative economy for Tripura: Sushanta in Assembly
The state tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday said that the tourism sector in the state will be the backbone of the alternative economy in the coming days. Economic and social development of the local people will be achieved through this industry, he added.
Rs. 24.46 Cr provides as aid to flood-affected farmers: Ratan
In response to an unstarred question by MLA Sudeep Sarkar, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed comprehensive details about the arrangements made by the Farmers Welfare Department to assist flood-affected farmers in the state.
Infra development of Rs 1000 Crore for rural schools underway: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that for the development of educational infrastructure in rural areas, works amounting to approximately Rs 1000 crore are underway under various schemes.
5,520 drug users receive treatment, 612 recovers: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that as of January 2025, a total of 5,520 injection drug users have received services from Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers. Of these, 612 have completed treatment and returned to the mainstream of healthy, normal lives.
Pradyot slams Yunus’s statement on NE, urges Centre to take firm stance
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the Royal Scion and founder of the Tipra Motha Party, strongly condemned a recent remark by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, regarding the Northeast Indian states, urging India to take a firm stance in response.
95 percent of Agartala Smart City works completed: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that almost 95 percent of the work under Agartala Smart City Limited has already been completed and remaining works are expected to be completed by May 2025.
More relief, medical supplies: India continues humanitarian aid to Myanmar
In a heartwarming gesture, Myo Aung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay, visited the facility, witnessing first hand the compassionate care being extended. The Indian Army shared this on X on Tuesday with a few photos.