Türkiye and Syria earthquake: Death toll rises to over 36,000, more victims rescued after 177 hours buried

Official statistics show that the total death toll from the earthquake disaster in Türkiye and Syria has now risen to more than 36,000 people.

Türkiye's Anadolu news agency reported that in Turkey alone, at least 31,643 people have died from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and dozens of aftershocks that swept through 10 southern provinces on February 6. The figures make the incident the deadliest earthquake disaster in the country in the past 80 years.

The 10 deadliest earthquakes in the world since 2002. Source: CNN

Adding in the nearly 5,000 deaths in Syria, the total number of deaths from the earthquake in the two neighboring countries has reached 36,200, according to CNN. An estimated 75,600 others were injured, making this earthquake disaster the fifth deadliest natural disaster in the world in the past 20 years.

Ruins in Antakya, Türkiye after the earthquake. Photo: AP

Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said 238,500 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the country's disaster zones. More than 158,000 people have been evacuated from these areas.

According to the Foreign Ministry, a total of 9,401 rescue workers from 77 countries are assisting Ankara in dealing with the consequences of the natural disaster. 99 countries have offered assistance and 7 more countries are expected to send experts to help Türkiye.

Derya Akdogan, 26, was rescued after 177 hours buried by an earthquake in Hatay, southern Türkiye. Photo: Anadolu

Rescuers on February 13 reported good news when some more victims were rescued after at least 177 hours buried under the rubble. They were a 70-year-old woman in Antakya district of Hatay province, a 26-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl in Adiyaman province. Authorities and rescue teams are racing against time to find and rescue victims who may still be alive, trapped under the rubble.

Bloomberg on February 13 quoted an assessment by a business consulting group that the disaster that occurred last week could cause an estimated loss of up to 84 billion USD in Türkiye alone. This figure is significantly higher than previous estimates and equivalent to more than 1/10 of the country's GDP.

Houses collapsed after an earthquake in the town of Jandaris, northern Syria. Photo: Nature

There is no immediate report of damage from the earthquake. However, the United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis, as the area receives little aid due to the blockade and has only one border crossing with Türkiye to the north.

According to the Guardian, the Secretary-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on February 12. The Syrian government promised to be ready to send aid to the disaster-stricken northern region.