Arrests over Türkiye earthquakes rise to 237, including 166 contractors

Photo: AA

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The number of arrests in relation to the February 6 earthquakes has risen to 237, including 166 contractors, the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

Some 768 suspects were detained in investigations into the buildings that collapsed in last month's powerful earthquakes.

The number of detentions and arrests is expected to further increase as investigations are continuing.

On February 6, two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6 struck the southern city of Maraş. The first quake in the Pazarcık district at 4.17 a.m. was followed by the second one in Elbistan about nine hours later.

The quakes affected 11 cities in Türkiye's south and southeast, as well as Syria's northern parts, where over 5,000 people were killed.

Türkiye's official death toll from the quakes stands at over 45,000 and is expected to increase further, as over 160,000 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, according to government figures.

Nearly two million people have been displaced due to the earthquakes. (ME/VK)