Turkey resorted to massive burial, burying ten people at a time following the 7.8 magnitude quake and subsequent aftershock that has claimed more than 15,000 lives and left tens of thousands injured.
Green metal coffins were lined up 10 at a time under a shelter at Gaziantep’s main cemetery on Wednesday for an imam to bless victims of Turkey’s devastating earthquake before their hurried burial.
It is reported that Gaziantep mayor Fatma Sahin had made an appeal for more Muslim preachers to come forward to help with funerals at cemeteries.
At least three US citizens were Wednesday reported dead in Turkey by the State Department.
Thousands of buildings collapsed and aid agencies are particularly worried about northwestern Syria, where more than 4 million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.
International media outlets reports indicate that freezing weather conditions are further endangering survivors and complicating rescue efforts, as more than 100 aftershocks have struck the region.
The World Health Organization estimates up to 23 million people could be affected by the earthquake across both countries.
The World Health Organization said it’s scaling up its response in Syria and Turkey because diseases already present — particularly in Syria — will be amplified in wake of the earthquake’s aftermath.
The organization is sending medical teams and three flights of medical supplies, including surgical trauma kits to Turkey and Syria.
While Turkey has received an outpouring of support and aid from dozens of countries after the earthquake, outreach to Syria has been less enthusiastic, and analysts warn that Syrian victims may become hostages of the politics that have divided Syria for over a decade.
