Thaindian News

Ankara, Oct 29 (IANS) The toll in a powerful earthquake that hit Turkey Oct 23 has risen to 582, while the number of injured reached 4,152, the government said Saturday.

At least 187 people have been rescued, but chances of finding more people alive has decreased after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey’s Van province, Xinhua reported.

No survivors have been found since 13-year-old Ferhat Tokay was pulled out of the rubble Friday after being trapped for 108 hours in Ercis, a town of 75,000 people.

As criticism rose against substandard and unlicensed construction, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government would demolish illegally constructed buildings.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has put the number of affected people at 50,000, while Turkish officials have not yet declared any figures.

The IFRC announced Friday a preliminary appeal for more than 8.2 million euros (around $10.7 million) to help the victims.

China will send $1 million in aid to Turkey, while the Chinese Red Cross has already donated $50,000, Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkey initially declined help from abroad but then changed its position. Since then, it has received aid from many countries, including Israel and Armenia, with whom Ankara has strained bilateral relations.

There was no more need for tents or blankets, and there was no problem with the provision of food and water, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said Friday.

“We see that everything is normalising. Temporary housing has been provided in the quake-struck areas. There is not a lot of rush anymore. By Saturday night all emergency needs will be met,” he said.