Syria was grappling with the aftermath of some massive earthquake, but now the Syrians have to deal with floods also. After the earthquake a dam collapsed in a small town in Northwestern Syria which is near the Turkish border.

Syria: Authorities have reported 5,800 deaths

Two women were pulled from the rubble in Turkey‘s southern city of Kahramanmaras and a mother and two children were rescued from the city of Antakya, as rescue efforts shifted to getting relief to survivors nine days after a deadly earthquake.

Turkey, Syria death toll tops 41,000; rescuers continue the search for survivors

Thousands of people have been killed since a series of earthquakes with the epicentre in neighbouring Turkey hit Syria’s border region a week ago, on February 6. While the international community rushed to send aid to the two affected countries it has been slow to reach the most affected areas of the war-torn nation. This comes as relief efforts have been hindered due to the ongoing civil war in the country which has left many Syrians angry and helpless.&nbsp;

According to a tally by Reuters citing United Nations figures and Syrian media reports, more than 5,814 have died in the country out of which at least 4,400 are from the northwestern region.&nbsp;So far, the total death toll due to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 40,000, as per recent reports.

The UN in a statement said that nearly nine million Syrians have been affected by last week’s earthquake. Meanwhile, in a major reversal by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, the use of two border crossings was approved to supply aid to the rebel-held region, late Monday.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-syria-earthquake-syrian-president-agrees-to-open-two-more-gates-along-turkey-561841">Syrian President agrees to open two more gates along Turkey</a>

Here’s why war-torn Syria has struggled to procure aid a week after devastating earthquakes:

How the civil war has fractured Syria into parts

After over a decade of conflict, Syria has been divided into parts which have proved to be a major hurdle for aid workers to overcome as they attempt to reach the rebel-held northwestern part of the country, also the hardest hit by the recent earthquakes, for help those affected by the disaster. The region is said to be controlled by Turkish-backed fighters and opposition groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with ties to Al-Qaeda.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-syria-earthquake-toll-crosses-28000-as-un-relief-chief-predicts-deaths-to-top-50000-561042">Turkey earthquake: 130 contractors detained over collapsed buildings; UN says toll may reach 50,000</a>

According to the United Nations, even before the earthquake at least four million people in the rebel-held region were in need of humanitarian aid. In contrast, the countries which back the Syrian president’s government including Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have been sending aid to their region for the past week. Meanwhile, northeastern Syria which is mostly held by United States-backed Kurdish-led groups has reportedly been less affected by the earthquake.&nbsp;

What are the existing routes to supply aid to Syria?

Following the earthquake, the Syrian government which still controls a majority of the country has said that foreign countries should respect their sovereignty and aid for any part of Syria should enter via their territory. However, the opposition-held northwest had reportedly received no assistance from the United Nations via Turkey until Thursday, the route for which the UNSC requires approval every six months.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-syria-earthquake-syria-vows-to-send-aid-in-rebel-held-areas-561764">Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Syria vows to send aid in rebel-held areas</a>

The route in question is the Bab al-Hawa crossing which is the only route into Syria as Russia, the permanent member of the UN Security Council and also backs Assad’s government has in the past vetoed the use of the multiple other crossings via Ankara. Therefore, for years now foreign aid has been entering the northwestern Idlib province from Turkey.&nbsp;

What has been happening since the earthquake struck?

Moscow also recently only approved the opening of a single crossing from Turkey and argued that UN aid should instead be sent through Damascus. While the UN has blamed the damage to the roads leading up to the only approved route they can take. Meanwhile, the US and countries in Europe, some of whom have sanctioned Assad and his government remain reluctant to take the route via Damascus and an earthquake would not change that as the officials from the countries have made clear, as per reports.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-syria-earthquake-exacerbates-humanitarian-crisis-in-syria-wions-exclusive-ground-report-561590">Turkey-Syria earthquake exacerbates humanitarian crisis in Syria | WION's exclusive ground report</a>

“The world left us to our own destiny facing the criminal Bashar al-Assad. But this is a natural disaster,” said Ibahim Bakkour, a local council member to NPR. “There's no political argument here; it's a humanitarian situation and we need help.” The report also said how residents of the northwestern town of Jinderis in Syria “heard the screams of those trapped under the rubble but, without the right machinery and equipment, were powerless to save them.”

“We don't understand. Why are we alone?”, said the town’s mayor, Mahmoud Hafar to NPR. As of Friday, some 850 bodies had reportedly been pulled from the rubble while the Syrian civil defence workers were working to look for the hundreds of others who were missing. On Sunday, earthquake aid by the UN from the government-controlled region to the opposition-controlled territory was held due to “approval issues”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-profiteers-scammers-turn-turkey-syria-earthquake-to-a-money-swindling-opportunity-561702">Crisis profiteers, scammers turn Turkey-Syria earthquake into a money-swindling opportunity</a>

Additionally, on Thursday, last week a convoy from the Kurdish-led northeast to the rebel-held northwest was stopped by the Turkey-backed faction, while both sides have since blamed each other for politicising the humanitarian aid. Therefore, sending aid from the front lines has also proven to be difficult.&nbsp;

Furthermore, a source from the HTS group told Reuters that the group will not allow shipments from the government-held parts of Syria and that aid would come from Turkey. “We won't allow (Assad’s) regime to take advantage of the situation to show they are helping,” said the anonymous source to the news agency.&nbsp;

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As of Monday, some 58 trucks carrying aid have reached the opposition-held territory which comprised food, tents and medicines but not equipment and machinery requested by White Helmets known formally as Syria Civil Defence whose group’s first responders are leading the rescue efforts in the northwest.&nbsp;

Syrian President allows the use of two border crossings

The first UN convoy carrying aid to Syria’s northwest region was allowed from Turkey via the newly-opened Bab al-Salam crossing, on Tuesday, reported Reuters citing two UN spokespeople. This comes after the UN had previously announced using Bab Al-Salam and al-Raee border crossings, the approval of which was received from Assad’s government for an initial three months time.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-syria-earthquake-resilient-syrians-vow-to-help-assist-victims-ground-report-from-wion-561026">Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Resilient Syrians vow to help, assist victims; ground report from WION</a>

This also comes after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, who was visiting Syria, had been lobbying at the United Nations to open additional crossings from Turkey to deliver aid. Notably, the aid chief on Sunday had taken to Twitter and wrote, “We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
At the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T%C3%BCrkiye?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Türkiye</a>-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Syria</a> border today. 
We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria. 
They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived. 
My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can. 
That’s my focus now.
— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNReliefChief/status/1624701773557469184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The announcement of the approval was made, late Monday, and welcomed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who officially confirmed it after a closed virtual meeting of the security council, where, as per diplomats, Griffiths said that the Assad government has approved the use of two new crossings.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@antonioguterres</a> welcomed the decision by the President of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Syria</a> to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T%C3%BCrkiye?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Türkiye</a> to north-west Syria to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid. Full Statement: <a href="https://t.co/HKc9MajYyn">https://t.co/HKc9MajYyn</a>
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) <a href="https://twitter.com/UN_Spokesperson/status/1625239865439711237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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However, the White Helmets rescue group criticised the UN for waiting for the Syrian president’s permission. “This is shocking and we are at loss at how the UN is behaving”, said Raed al-Saleh, the head of the rescue group to Reuters, on February 14.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-turkey-syria-quake-situation-catastrophic-resources-stretch-thin-say-white-helmets-559562">EXCLUSIVE | Turkey-Syria quake situation catastrophic, resources stretched thin: White Helmets</a>

In an opinion piece written for CNN by al-Saleh, on Tuesday, criticising Assad, wrote that his “intervention is a cynical move that has come far too late”. He added, “The UN’s insistence on waiting for the Syrian regime’s permission - the very regime that has bombed, gassed, starved, forcibly displaced and imprisoned millions of Syrians - is unforgivable.”

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Thousands of people have been killed since a series of earthquakes with the epicentre in neighbouring Turkey hit Syria’s border region a week ago, on February 6.

Thousands of people have been killed since a series of earthquakes with the epicentre in neighbouring Turkey hit Syria’s border region a week ago, on February 6. While the international community rushed to send aid to the two affected countries it has been slow to reach the most affected areas of the war-torn nation. This comes as relief efforts have been hindered due to the ongoing civil war in the country which has left many Syrians angry and helpless. According to a tally by Reuters citing United Nations figures and Syrian media reports, more than 5,814 have died in the country out of which at least 4,400 are from the northwestern region. So far, the total death toll due to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 40,000, as per recent reports. The UN in a statement said that nearly nine million Syrians have been affected by last week’s earthquake. Meanwhile, in a major reversal by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, the use of two border crossings was approved to supply aid to the rebel-held region, late Monday. ALSO WATCH | Syrian President agrees to open two more gates along Turkey Here’s why war-torn Syria has struggled to procure aid a week after devastating earthquakes: How the civil war has fractured Syria into parts After over a decade of conflict, Syria has been divided into parts which have proved to be a major hurdle for aid workers to overcome as they attempt to reach the rebel-held northwestern part of the country, also the hardest hit by the recent earthquakes, for help those affected by the disaster. The region is said to be controlled by Turkish-backed fighters and opposition groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with ties to Al-Qaeda. ALSO READ | Turkey earthquake: 130 contractors detained over collapsed buildings; UN says toll may reach 50,000 According to the United Nations, even before the earthquake at least four million people in the rebel-held region were in need of humanitarian aid. In contrast, the countries which back the Syrian president’s government including Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have been sending aid to their region for the past week. Meanwhile, northeastern Syria which is mostly held by United States-backed Kurdish-led groups has reportedly been less affected by the earthquake. What are the existing routes to supply aid to Syria? Following the earthquake, the Syrian government which still controls a majority of the country has said that foreign countries should respect their sovereignty and aid for any part of Syria should enter via their territory. However, the opposition-held northwest had reportedly received no assistance from the United Nations via Turkey until Thursday, the route for which the UNSC requires approval every six months. ALSO WATCH | Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Syria vows to send aid in rebel-held areas The route in question is the Bab al-Hawa crossing which is the only route into Syria as Russia, the permanent member of the UN Security Council and also backs Assad’s government has in the past vetoed the use of the multiple other crossings via Ankara. Therefore, for years now foreign aid has been entering the northwestern Idlib province from Turkey. What has been happening since the earthquake struck? Moscow also recently only approved the opening of a single crossing from Turkey and argued that UN aid should instead be sent through Damascus. While the UN has blamed the damage to the roads leading up to the only approved route they can take. Meanwhile, the US and countries in Europe, some of whom have sanctioned Assad and his government remain reluctant to take the route via Damascus and an earthquake would not change that as the officials from the countries have made clear, as per reports. ALSO WATCH | Turkey-Syria earthquake exacerbates humanitarian crisis in Syria | WION's exclusive ground report “The world left us to our own destiny facing the criminal Bashar al-Assad. But this is a natural disaster,” said Ibahim Bakkour, a local council member to NPR. “There's no political argument here; it's a humanitarian situation and we need help.” The report also said how residents of the northwestern town of Jinderis in Syria “heard the screams of those trapped under the rubble but, without the right machinery and equipment, were powerless to save them.” “We don't understand. Why are we alone?”, said the town’s mayor, Mahmoud Hafar to NPR. As of Friday, some 850 bodies had reportedly been pulled from the rubble while the Syrian civil defence workers were working to look for the hundreds of others who were missing. On Sunday, earthquake aid by the UN from the government-controlled region to the opposition-controlled territory was held due to “approval issues”. ALSO READ | Crisis profiteers, scammers turn Turkey-Syria earthquake into a money-swindling opportunity Additionally, on Thursday, last week a convoy from the Kurdish-led northeast to the rebel-held northwest was stopped by the Turkey-backed faction, while both sides have since blamed each other for politicising the humanitarian aid. Therefore, sending aid from the front lines has also proven to be difficult. Furthermore, a source from the HTS group told Reuters that the group will not allow shipments from the government-held parts of Syria and that aid would come from Turkey. “We won't allow (Assad’s) regime to take advantage of the situation to show they are helping,” said the anonymous source to the news agency. ALSO READ | India to send more relief material in second plane to quake-hit Syria, envoy thanks As of Monday, some 58 trucks carrying aid have reached the opposition-held territory which comprised food, tents and medicines but not equipment and machinery requested by White Helmets known formally as Syria Civil Defence whose group’s first responders are leading the rescue efforts in the northwest. Syrian President allows the use of two border crossings The first UN convoy carrying aid to Syria’s northwest region was allowed from Turkey via the newly-opened Bab al-Salam crossing, on Tuesday, reported Reuters citing two UN spokespeople. This comes after the UN had previously announced using Bab Al-Salam and al-Raee border crossings, the approval of which was received from Assad’s government for an initial three months time. ALSO WATCH | Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Resilient Syrians vow to help, assist victims; ground report from WION This also comes after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths, who was visiting Syria, had been lobbying at the United Nations to open additional crossings from Turkey to deliver aid. Notably, the aid chief on Sunday had taken to Twitter and wrote, “We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived.” At the #Türkiye-#Syria border today. We have so far failed the people in north-west Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn’t arrived. My duty and our obligation is to correct this failure as fast as we can. That’s my focus now. — Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 12, 2023 × The announcement of the approval was made, late Monday, and welcomed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who officially confirmed it after a closed virtual meeting of the security council, where, as per diplomats, Griffiths said that the Assad government has approved the use of two new crossings. .@antonioguterres welcomed the decision by the President of #Syria to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from #Türkiye to north-west Syria to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid. Full Statement: https://t.co/HKc9MajYyn — UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) February 13, 2023 × However, the White Helmets rescue group criticised the UN for waiting for the Syrian president’s permission. “This is shocking and we are at loss at how the UN is behaving”, said Raed al-Saleh, the head of the rescue group to Reuters, on February 14. ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Turkey-Syria quake situation catastrophic, resources stretched thin: White Helmets In an opinion piece written for CNN by al-Saleh, on Tuesday, criticising Assad, wrote that his “intervention is a cynical move that has come far too late”. He added, “The UN’s insistence on waiting for the Syrian regime’s permission - the very regime that has bombed, gassed, starved, forcibly displaced and imprisoned millions of Syrians - is unforgivable.” (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: UN aid trucks enter northwest Syria from newly approved border crossings by Assad govt

Convoy of United Nations truck carrying aid was allowed to pass through the newly reopened Bab al-Hawa border, crossing into rebel-held North Syria where help has been slow to arrive since last week's earthquake.

New aid-route into rebel-held Syria opens, convoy of 11 UN aid trucks enter country | WION

New aid-route into rebel-held Syria opens, convoy of 11 UN aid trucks enter country

The United Nations says Syria’s president has agreed to open two new crossing points from Turkey to the country’s rebel-held northwest to deliver desperately needed aid and equipment for millions of earthquake victims

Syria opens two crossing points from Turkey

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has decided to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from Turkey to north-west Syria for an initial period of three months, to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid, the UN chief said while welcoming the decision. "Opening these crossing points -- along with facilitating humanitarian access, accelerating visa approvals and easing travel between hubs -- will allow more aid to go in, faster," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.&nbsp;

This comes after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths met with the Syrian president in Damascus on Monday. Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations Bassam Sabbagh also spoke to media personnel following a closed-door meeting of the Security Council.

"Syria supports the entry of humanitarian aid into the region through all possible crosspoints for three months," he reportedly said and added that he believes a UN resolution on the matter is not necessary.

The distribution of food, health, nutrition, safety, housing, winter supplies, and other life-saving items to all the millions of individuals affected by the earthquake on February 6, is of the highest necessity.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-wang-yi-to-meet-face-to-face-in-germany-this-week-the-first-after-chinese-spy-balloon-row-561655">Blinken, Wang Yi to meet face-to-face in Germany this week? The first after Chinese 'spy' balloon row</a>

A devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria a week ago, killing more than 37,000 people. Millions of people in need in the northwest of war-torn Syria have been receiving help since 2014 through Turkey, thanks to a Security Council mandate that was accepted after the Syrian government objected to the proposal. The UN, however, is only permitted to use one border crossing.

The assistance transfers across the Syrian border were resisted by the administration there, which viewed them as an infringement on its sovereignty.&nbsp;UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said that the death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria may increase to 50,000.

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On Saturday, Griffiths visited the southern city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey, which was the epicentre of the first earthquake of 7.8-magnitude that upturned the lives of millions in Monday's pre-dawn hours. Speaking to Sky News, Griffiths said, “I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more. We haven't really begun to count the number of dead.”

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Meanwhile, an elderly woman and a two-month-old baby were rescued from the rubble on Saturday. Thousands of rescue workers are still searching for survivors in the flattened neighbourhood, even as the misery of the survivors escalates amid freezing weather. However, amid despair, loss and destruction, stories of miraculous survival continue to emerge.

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has decided to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from Turkey to north-west Syria for an initial period of three months, to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid, the UN chief said while welcoming the decision.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has decided to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from Turkey to north-west Syria for an initial period of three months, to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid, the UN chief said while welcoming the decision. "Opening these crossing points -- along with facilitating humanitarian access, accelerating visa approvals and easing travel between hubs -- will allow more aid to go in, faster," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. This comes after UN aid chief Martin Griffiths met with the Syrian president in Damascus on Monday. Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations Bassam Sabbagh also spoke to media personnel following a closed-door meeting of the Security Council. "Syria supports the entry of humanitarian aid into the region through all possible crosspoints for three months," he reportedly said and added that he believes a UN resolution on the matter is not necessary. The distribution of food, health, nutrition, safety, housing, winter supplies, and other life-saving items to all the millions of individuals affected by the earthquake on February 6, is of the highest necessity. Also Read | Blinken, Wang Yi to meet face-to-face in Germany this week? The first after Chinese 'spy' balloon row A devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria a week ago, killing more than 37,000 people. Millions of people in need in the northwest of war-torn Syria have been receiving help since 2014 through Turkey, thanks to a Security Council mandate that was accepted after the Syrian government objected to the proposal. The UN, however, is only permitted to use one border crossing. The assistance transfers across the Syrian border were resisted by the administration there, which viewed them as an infringement on its sovereignty. UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said that the death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria may increase to 50,000. Also Read | White House says no 'alien' activity in unidentified downed objects over US On Saturday, Griffiths visited the southern city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey, which was the epicentre of the first earthquake of 7.8-magnitude that upturned the lives of millions in Monday's pre-dawn hours. Speaking to Sky News, Griffiths said, “I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more. We haven't really begun to count the number of dead.” Watch | This heart-shaped island is up for sale ahead of Valentine's Day Meanwhile, an elderly woman and a two-month-old baby were rescued from the rubble on Saturday. Thousands of rescue workers are still searching for survivors in the flattened neighbourhood, even as the misery of the survivors escalates amid freezing weather. However, amid despair, loss and destruction, stories of miraculous survival continue to emerge. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Syria agrees to open two border crossings for quake aid: UN chief

In the aftermath of the earthquake, minimal aid is reaching north-west Syria, the most affected region in the country. On 6 February 2023, an earthquake struck southern and central Turkey, and northern and western Syria. Watch this exclusive report from ground zero.

Aftermath of earthquake in Syria

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels - A boy aged nine donated his entire savings collected in a piggy bank to support the relief efforts being carried out for the survivors of the latest earthquakes which hit turkey and claimed 35 000 lives so far.

Trending on WION | Turkey Earthquake: 9-year-old boy donates piggy-bank savings to relief funds

The death toll from the deadly Syria-Turkey earthquake has crossed 33,000 mark. The earthquakes have left residents with no water, electricity or shelter. In Syria's quake hit Aleppo, victims narrate their ordeal as to how they survived the quake.

WION in ground zero Syria: Underground infrastructure protects residents from quake

Rescuers continue to pull out more survivors from the rubble in Turkey and Syria as the death toll earthquakes topped 37,000. The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the decision by the Syrian president to open two further crossing points on the Turkish border to allow more aid into the stricken northwest of the country.

The fallout of Syria-Turkey earthquake

Whether it is fuel or humanitarian aid, several parts of Syria are still awaiting help from other nations in the aftermath of the deadly quakes. WION’s Ghadi Francis reports from Syria.

Why Syria is struggling to get help

Rescuers continue to pull out more survivors from the rubble in Turkey and Syria as the death toll from last week’s earthquakes topped 36,000.The quakes have killed at least 31,643 people in Turkey , and 3500 people in Syria.

Syria: UN holds emergency meeting

The devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has left more than 35,000 people dead. Now a week after the disaster struck, rescue teams began to shift their focus from searching for survivors to delivering humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of those affected.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Syria vows to send aid in rebel-held areas

With the death toll and deadly earthquake crossing 37,000, Turkish authorities have begun arresting or detaining a number of property developers.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Clampdown on building contractors in Turkey

Syrian President agrees to open two more gates along Turkey

Syria: One week since earthquake, over 35,000 dead

Has the world abandoned Syria? While help is pouring in for quake victims in Turkey, aid is barely reaching those battling the aftermath of the very same quake in Syria. What explains this hypocrisy? Priyanka Sharma tells you.

Gravitas | Western hypocrisy: Countries help Turkey, not Syria

Rescuers pulled a 13-year-old out from rubble of a collapsed building. Teenager was rescued more than a week after deadly Turkey quake. The combined death toll rose above 37,000 in Turkey & Syria.

Teenager rescued after 182 hours of Turkey's Quake

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said that the death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria may increase to&nbsp;50,000.&nbsp;On Saturday, Griffiths visited the southern city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey, which was the epicentre of the first earthquake of 7.8-magnitude that upturned the lives of millions in Monday's pre-dawn hours.&nbsp;Speaking to Sky News, Griffiths said, “I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more. We haven't really begun to count the number of dead.”

According to officials, the death toll currently stands at 34,000. Since six days have passed, there is less probability of people under the debris being found alive.&nbsp;

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<h2>Police detain around 130 contractors over collapsed buildings</h2>

According to the state media, police in quake-hit Turkey have detained around 130&nbsp;contractors after multiple buildings collapsed in the country's south-eastern provinces of Sanliurfa and Gaziantep.

As per the DHA news agency, the people taken into custody includes contractors. Around 6,000 buildings collapsed in the devastating earthquakes that hit the region on Monday, sparking anger in the public over the poor quality of construction.

Police officials are expected to detain more people after Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay on Saturday said that 113 arrest warrants have been issued by the prosecutors over the collapse&nbsp;of buildings.

One of the persons detained was a contractor for a collapsed building in Gaziantep, said the agency, adding that the police caught him in Istanbul.

A wave of investigations has been launched by the prosecutors in provinces which have been hit, including Kahramanmaras. The justice ministry has asked the prosecutors to set up special "earthquake crimes investigation offices" in the 10 provinces.

On Friday, another contractor was apprehended by the Turkish police after the high-rise luxury flats, he was associated with, had collapsed in Hatay province.

The police detained him at Istanbul airport when&nbsp;he was trying to flee the country, reports suggested.

<h2>Miracle rescues as toll climbs</h2>

On Saturday, an elderly woman and a two-month-old baby were rescued from the rubble. Thousands of rescue workers are still searching for survivors in flattened neighbourhoods even as the misery of the survivors escalates amid&nbsp;freezing&nbsp;weather. However, amid despair, loss and destruction, stories of miraculous survival continue to emerge.

The rescue workers found a two-month-old baby alive in the city of Antakya, 128 hours after the quake, reported state news agency Anadolu.

Meanwhile, families held each other tightly in grief, as a cotton field was transformed into a cemetery as countless bodies arrived for burial.

WATCH | WION speaks to volunteers in Damascus after deadly earthquake in Turkey, Syria

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<h2>Violence disrupts rescue operations</h2>

Meanwhile, outbreaks of violence in southern Turkey hampered the ongoing rescue operations to find survivors. The search operations were paused by the Austrian army and German rescuers on Saturday, because of fighting between unidentified groups.

Austrian army spokesperson Lt Col Pierre Kugelweis said that altercations between factions in the Hatay province forced the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit's personnel to take shelter in a base camp along with other international organisations.

In a statement, Kugelweis said, “There is increasing aggression between factions in Turkey. The chances of saving a life bears no reasonable relation to the safety risk.”

Turkish Ministry of Defence confirmed that the rescue operation was resumed by Austria after protection was provided by the Turkish army.

Operations were also suspended by Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (TSW) and the German branch of the search and rescue group Isar, citing similar security concerns.

Isar spokesperson Stefan Heine said, “There are more and more reports of clashes between different factions, shots have also been fired.”

German rescue teams confirmed that the rescue work will be resumed as soon as the situation is declared safe by the Turkish authorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said that the death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria may increase to 50,000. On Saturday, Griffiths visited the southern city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey, which was the epicentre of the first earthquake of 7.

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said that the death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria may increase to 50,000. On Saturday, Griffiths visited the southern city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey, which was the epicentre of the first earthquake of 7.8-magnitude that upturned the lives of millions in Monday's pre-dawn hours. Speaking to Sky News, Griffiths said, “I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more. We haven't really begun to count the number of dead.” According to officials, the death toll currently stands at 34,000. Since six days have passed, there is less probability of people under the debris being found alive. ALSO READ | 48 arrested in Turkey for looting, defrauding quake-hit victims Police detain around 130 contractors over collapsed buildings According to the state media, police in quake-hit Turkey have detained around 130 contractors after multiple buildings collapsed in the country's south-eastern provinces of Sanliurfa and Gaziantep. As per the DHA news agency, the people taken into custody includes contractors. Around 6,000 buildings collapsed in the devastating earthquakes that hit the region on Monday, sparking anger in the public over the poor quality of construction. Police officials are expected to detain more people after Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay on Saturday said that 113 arrest warrants have been issued by the prosecutors over the collapse of buildings. One of the persons detained was a contractor for a collapsed building in Gaziantep, said the agency, adding that the police caught him in Istanbul. A wave of investigations has been launched by the prosecutors in provinces which have been hit, including Kahramanmaras. The justice ministry has asked the prosecutors to set up special "earthquake crimes investigation offices" in the 10 provinces. On Friday, another contractor was apprehended by the Turkish police after the high-rise luxury flats, he was associated with, had collapsed in Hatay province. The police detained him at Istanbul airport when he was trying to flee the country, reports suggested. Miracle rescues as toll climbs On Saturday, an elderly woman and a two-month-old baby were rescued from the rubble. Thousands of rescue workers are still searching for survivors in flattened neighbourhoods even as the misery of the survivors escalates amid freezing weather. However, amid despair, loss and destruction, stories of miraculous survival continue to emerge. The rescue workers found a two-month-old baby alive in the city of Antakya, 128 hours after the quake, reported state news agency Anadolu. Meanwhile, families held each other tightly in grief, as a cotton field was transformed into a cemetery as countless bodies arrived for burial. WATCH | WION speaks to volunteers in Damascus after deadly earthquake in Turkey, Syria Violence disrupts rescue operations Meanwhile, outbreaks of violence in southern Turkey hampered the ongoing rescue operations to find survivors. The search operations were paused by the Austrian army and German rescuers on Saturday, because of fighting between unidentified groups. Austrian army spokesperson Lt Col Pierre Kugelweis said that altercations between factions in the Hatay province forced the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit's personnel to take shelter in a base camp along with other international organisations. In a statement, Kugelweis said, “There is increasing aggression between factions in Turkey. The chances of saving a life bears no reasonable relation to the safety risk.” Turkish Ministry of Defence confirmed that the rescue operation was resumed by Austria after protection was provided by the Turkish army. Operations were also suspended by Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (TSW) and the German branch of the search and rescue group Isar, citing similar security concerns. Isar spokesperson Stefan Heine said, “There are more and more reports of clashes between different factions, shots have also been fired.” German rescue teams confirmed that the rescue work will be resumed as soon as the situation is declared safe by the Turkish authorities. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Turkey earthquake: 130 contractors detained over collapsed buildings; UN says toll may reach 50,000

Indian envoy to Turkey Dr Virander Paul speaks to WION on India's aid to quake-hit country. Dr Paul says India's focus is on assisting Turkey authorities.

Indian envoy to Turkey speaks to WION

The death toll from the deadly Syria-Turkey earthquake has crossed 28,000. According to the Turkish Vice President, Turkey's death toll climbed to 24,617 and in Syria, the total number of confirmed deaths stands at 3,575.

India's Operation Dost: Syria declares four provinces as disaster zones

In a single city in south-east Turkey, more than 5,000 victims of the devastating earthquake were buried at a mass cemetery on Sunday.&nbsp;

A senior official said that the Kahramanmaras' mass burial ground will eventually become the resting place of the city's 10,000 residents who died in the natural disaster.

A policeman, who lead the burial operation, said that there has been a continuous increase in the number of dead bodies arriving “every day”.

The streets of Kahramanmaras, where once 500,000 people stayed in their homes, have been completely levelled as rescuers continue to pull bodies from the debris of the collapsed buildings after multiple earthquakes rocked the city on Monday.

The authorities have erected white makeshift tents on the edge of the cemetery where the bodies are being cleaned before they are buried in freshly-dug graves.

The mourners were seen crying and screaming cars and vans filled with bodies continued to come to the burial ground. &nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-syria-earthquake-toll-crosses-28000-as-un-relief-chief-predicts-deaths-to-top-50000-561042">Turkey earthquake: Contractors detained over collapsed buildings; UN says toll may reach 50,000</a>

Death toll tops 34,000, as legal action against builders starts&nbsp;

The survivors as well as dead bodies continued to be pulled out of the rubble on Sunday, as authorities in Turkey tried to maintain order across the disaster zone and started legal action against builders over building collapses.

Meanwhile, the total death toll rose above 34,000 and chances of finding more survivors faded. In southern Turkey's Antakya, shops were emptied by business owners who feared that looters will steal their merchandise.&nbsp;

Aid workers and residents said that the security conditions in cities have worsened as collapsed homes and businesses are being robbed.

UN admits failure in providing aid to Syria

On Sunday, the United Nations decried the failure to provide desperately required aid to Syria's war-torn regions, while also warning that the death toll of the earthquake to rise far higher.

WATCH | Turkey-Syria Earthquake | UN: Earthquake a double crisis for Syria

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A UN convoy filled with supplies was sent to northwest Syria through Turkey, however, the agency's relief chief Martin Griffiths said that a lot more aid was needed for millions who had lost their homes in the disaster.

"We have so far failed the people in northwest Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn't arrived," said Griffiths on Twitter.

Assessing the damage suffered by southern Turkey on Saturday, Griffiths said that the figure is likely to "double or more" in the coming days.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a single city in south-east Turkey, more than 5,000 victims of the devastating earthquake were buried at a mass cemetery on Sunday. A senior official said that the Kahramanmaras' mass burial ground will eventually become the resting place of the city's 10,000 residents who died in the natural disaster.

In a single city in south-east Turkey, more than 5,000 victims of the devastating earthquake were buried at a mass cemetery on Sunday. A senior official said that the Kahramanmaras' mass burial ground will eventually become the resting place of the city's 10,000 residents who died in the natural disaster. A policeman, who lead the burial operation, said that there has been a continuous increase in the number of dead bodies arriving “every day”. The streets of Kahramanmaras, where once 500,000 people stayed in their homes, have been completely levelled as rescuers continue to pull bodies from the debris of the collapsed buildings after multiple earthquakes rocked the city on Monday. The authorities have erected white makeshift tents on the edge of the cemetery where the bodies are being cleaned before they are buried in freshly-dug graves. The mourners were seen crying and screaming cars and vans filled with bodies continued to come to the burial ground. ALSO READ | Turkey earthquake: Contractors detained over collapsed buildings; UN says toll may reach 50,000 Death toll tops 34,000, as legal action against builders starts The survivors as well as dead bodies continued to be pulled out of the rubble on Sunday, as authorities in Turkey tried to maintain order across the disaster zone and started legal action against builders over building collapses. Meanwhile, the total death toll rose above 34,000 and chances of finding more survivors faded. In southern Turkey's Antakya, shops were emptied by business owners who feared that looters will steal their merchandise. Aid workers and residents said that the security conditions in cities have worsened as collapsed homes and businesses are being robbed. UN admits failure in providing aid to Syria On Sunday, the United Nations decried the failure to provide desperately required aid to Syria's war-torn regions, while also warning that the death toll of the earthquake to rise far higher. WATCH | Turkey-Syria Earthquake | UN: Earthquake a double crisis for Syria A UN convoy filled with supplies was sent to northwest Syria through Turkey, however, the agency's relief chief Martin Griffiths said that a lot more aid was needed for millions who had lost their homes in the disaster. "We have so far failed the people in northwest Syria. They rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasn't arrived," said Griffiths on Twitter. Assessing the damage suffered by southern Turkey on Saturday, Griffiths said that the figure is likely to "double or more" in the coming days. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Turkey earthquake: More than 5,000 victims buried at city's mass cemetery as death toll tops 34,000

WION in ground zero Syria: Aleppo, one of the provinces declared as a disaster zone

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