The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday is now at least 17,176, according to authorities.
In Turkey, the death toll has risen to at least 14,014, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday while visiting impacted areas in the southern city of Gaziantep.
The total number of deaths in Syria stands as at least 3,162, including 1,900 in rebel-held areas in the northwest according to the ‘White Helmets’ civil defense group, and 1,262 deaths in government-controlled parts of Syria, according to Syrian state media.
Tens of thousands more have been reported injured in both countries, as rescue workers struggle to locate survivors in the rubble of fallen buildings amid a cold winter blast.
Firefighters battle blaze at Turkey’s Iskenderun port
Firefighters are working to extinguish a fire at Turkey’s Iskenderun port, according to a CNN team on the ground Thursday.
Heavy smoke continues to rise from the port as firefighters and at least two firefighting aircraft attempt to put out the flames.
The southern Turkish port remained closed following heavy damage from Monday’s earthquake and the subsequent fire which broke out among containers at the terminal.
Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said Wednesday that efforts to fight the blaze were ongoing.
“Our teams are working continuously at the Iskenderun Port to cool down the fire from air and land,” the ministry tweeted.
(CNN)