Turkey's earthquake death toll surpasses 50,000, including 6,800 foreign nationals

Photo: AA

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Turkey's death toll from the massive earthquakes on February 6 rose to 50,096, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) announced today (March 20).

Over 6,800 of the killed were foreign nationals, Vice President Fuat Oktay announced on Saturday. Most of the foreigners killed in the quakes are thought to be refugees.

Ahead of the May 14 elections, tents and container houses where earthquake survivors are staying have been registered as residences, said Oktay.

"No need to worry, [earthquake survivors] can easily register their addresses in places where they stay," he remarked, adding that 345,097 citizens had changed their registered addresses.

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On February 6, two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6 struck the southern city of Maraş.

The quakes caused destruction in 10 cities in Turkey's south and southeast, as well as Syria's northern parts, where over 5,000 people were killed.

The official death toll from the quakes stands at nearly 50,000 and is expected to increase further, as over 227,000 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, according to government figures. (RT/VK)