More than 21,000 people are now known to have died in Monday’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which Turkey’s president has called “the disaster of the century”.
At least 18,342 people have been killed in Turkey, according to the country’s officials — surpassing the toll from the devastating 1999 earthquake in that country. Also, 3,377 are known to have died so far in Syria.
A major international relief effort is gathering pace.
On Thursday, the World Bank pledged $1.78bn (£1.38bn) in aid to Turkey including immediate finance for rebuilding basic infrastructure and to support those affected by the earthquakes.
The US pledged a package of $85m to both countries.
Meanwhile, the efforts of 100,000 or more rescue personnel on the ground are being hampered by logistical hurdles including vehicle shortages and devastated roads.
