Up to 23M people could be affected by earthquake, says WHO

• WHO estimates that 23 million people are exposed to the earthquake.
• Including 5 million vulnerable populations and 350,000 older people, 1.4 million children.
• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as a “race against time”.

The massive earthquake that slammed southern Turkey early on Monday has killed over 5,000 people and injured thousands more, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and it is expected to have an effect on as many as 23 million people.

“Event overview maps show that potentially 23 million people are exposed, including around 5 million vulnerable populations, including more than 350,000 older people, 1.4 million children,” WHO senior emergencies officer Adelheid Marschang told the UN health agency’s executive board meeting in Geneva.

Concerned, the WHO director described the situation as a “race against time.”

“We’re especially concerned about areas where we do not yet have information,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Damage mapping is one way to understand where we need to focus our attention.”

On Monday, footage of rescue operations in both countries surfaced, showing family members lamenting the loss of loved ones and others rejoicing as survivors were discovered among the wreckage of collapsed structures.

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