Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Toll Over 19,300; Surpasses Fukushima Disaster Deaths

Ankara: The death toll from the quakes, which struck early on Monday morning, passed 19,300 on Thursday across both countries.

Meanwhile, the death toll surpassed Japan’s Fukushima disaster toll.

According to authorities, the earthquake that demolished several buildings is one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade as the death toll has been rising.

Cold, hunger and despair gripped hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on Thursday, while hopes faded of many more people being found alive amid the ruins of cities.

A Turkish official said the Bab al-Hawa border crossing was open for humanitarian aid and authorities will open a few more crossings after two days if security is sound.