Turkey and Syria earthquake: Death toll surpasses 50,000

Ankara, February 25: In the most horrific calamity that took place in Turkey and Syria on February 6, where the city was hit by earthquake. The death toll from the earthquakes both in Turkey and Syria that struck surpassed 50,000 on Friday after Turkey declared more than 44,000 people died in the region.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the death toll in Turkey due to earthquakes rose to 44,218 on Friday night. As per, to the reports Syria’s latest death toll of 5,914. The combined death toll in the two countries rose to above 50,000.

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A government official said on Friday that Turkey has begun the rebuilding work of homes following this month's devastating earthquakes.

Earlier, President Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to rebuild homes for the victims within a year. The experts have said that the authorities should put safety before speed. There are some buildings that were meant to withstand tremors crumbled in the latest earthquakes.

"For several projects, tenders and contracts have been done. The process is moving very fast," the official said.

Meanwhile, experts are concerned about the construction of the building immediately as they should keep a check on safety before speed. Experts further said that the building were meant to withstand the tremors, which crumbled in the earthquake which have taken place recently.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), nearly 1.5 million people are left homeless. At least 5,00,000 new homes are needed.

The UN agency said that it requested $113.5 million from the $1 billion in funds appealed for by the United Nations last week, adding that it would focus this money on clearing away mountains of rubble.