Death toll in Turkey and Syria quakes rises to 29,000

New Delhi: The deadliest quake of the century has killed around 29,000 people so far in twin earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

Turkey death toll

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said late Saturday that at least 24,617 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye earlier this week.

Oktay said 32,071 search and rescue teams continue to work.

He added the Earthquake Crimes Investigation Departments have been established by the prosecutor's offices on instructions of the Justice Ministry in 10 provinces affected by the quakes in the southeast.

He noted the responsibilities of 131 suspects in buildings that collapsed in the quakes were determined -- one was arrested and arrest warrants have been issued for 113 others.

Earlier, The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said 80,278 people were injured in the earthquakes.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centred in Kahramanmaras province, were felt Monday by 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa.

Syria death toll

More than 4,500 people have died so far in Syria due to twin quakes.

In the government-controlled areas, 1,408 people have died so far.

The death toll from the earthquake in northwestern Syria has risen to more than 3,100 deaths and 5,070 injuries.