The fact that search-and-rescue operations started at the earliest on the third day after the quake increased the loss of life even more. Despite warnings, no preparations were taken against earthquakes. The obvious responsibility of all the factions of the ruling class, especially the Erdoğan government, for this preventable social disaster has created enormous anger alongside the grief for the many people who lost their lives. For years, they have allowed millions of people to live in unsafe buildings despite all scientific warnings that such an earthquake was expected, and even imminent. He said that 214,000 buildings have been identified in the region as being “collapsed, urgently to be demolished or heavily damaged.” This statement itself is an indictment of both the national government and local authorities. One Turkish official assigned to the affected area admitted that the real number of deaths could be reach 150,000 or more in Turkey alone.Īccording to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks yesterday, 3.5 million people have migrated from the region. The actual death toll is thought to be much higher, including those who have not been pulled from the rubble, those who have not been identified, and unregistered refugees.

Aerial photo shows collapsed buildings and destruction in Hatay, Turkey, on Feb.

Quake 4