Over 15,000 people have died as a result of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria; at least 12,873 people died in Turkey and 2,950 people died in Syria.
Residents in southeast Turkey and northwest Syria are criticizing what they call ineffective search and rescue efforts, and authorities say that the chances of finding survivors are dwindling.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, visited some of the most severely affected regions in southern Turkey at the same time and acknowledged “shortcomings” in his government’s response.
Two days after a series of earthquakes struck southern Turkey, relief efforts have yet to reach some areas of the country.
The province of Hatay, which is home to approximately 500,000 Syrian refugees, has been particularly hard hit, with rescue teams overwhelmed by the level of destruction.
Aid has been delayed due to significant damage to roads and the civilian airport near Antakya, the provincial capital.