Tayyip Erdogan seeks forgiveness over quake rescue delays

• World Bank estimates that the 6 February earthquakes in Turkey and Syria will cost $34 billion.
• But the cost of reconstruction may be double that amount.
• Erdogan is campaigning for re-election as president in the wake of the earthquake.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has appealed residents of a region of Turkey that was severely affected by the earthquake for patience about rescue delays.

On a visit to Adiyaman, Mr. Erdogan said the tremors and bad weather meant “we could not work as we would have liked”. “For this, I ask forgiveness,” he said.

Following significant earthquakes on February 6, it is known that more than 50,000 people died in Turkey and Syria.

A fresh, lesser earthquake has struck Turkey.

In Malatya province, north of Adiyaman, at least one person was killed and more than 100 people were hurt.

The location of numerous people thought to be trapped under collapsed structures was being sought after by search and rescue crews.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Organization reports that following the two extremely large earthquakes on February 6, there have been four new earthquakes and 45 aftershocks measuring magnitudes 5 to 6. (AFAD).

Orhan Tatar, the head of AFAD, called it “quite outstanding action.”

The World Bank estimates that the 6 February earthquakes in Turkey directly cost roughly $34 billion (£28 billion), but the cost of reconstruction may be about double that amount.

Anna Bjerde, a representative of the World Bank, described the situation in Syria as “very horrific.”

Mr. Erdogan has been travelling some of the worst-affected districts as he runs for re-election as president in elections scheduled for June.

He visited Adiyaman after the locals there harshly criticised the emergency response there.

“I did not see anyone until 2:00 pm on the second day of the earthquake,” Adiyaman resident Mehmet Yildirim told AFP earlier this month.

“No government, no state, no police, no soldiers. Shame on you! You left us on our own.”

Many thousands of individuals still need shelter and sanitation as a result of the catastrophe, which rendered 1.5 million people homeless. Tents for surviving are in scant supply.

Football supporters are singing “government resign” at games this weekend as discontent has swept across the nation.

Thousands of soft toys were thrown onto the field by Besiktas supporters in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, for distribution to earthquake-affected children.

In the meantime, riot police detained demonstrators in Istanbul.

On February 6th, more than 160,000 structures with 520,000 units either collapsed or suffered severe damage.

According to the authorities, approximately 200 people, including building contractors and property owners, have already been arrested and hundreds more are reportedly being investigated.

Since many new structures were unsafe due to widespread corruption and government regulations, experts have been warning about this for years.

At Adiyaman, Mr. Erdogan pledged to erect infrastructure, hospitals, and parks in addition to more than 500,000 new residences.

Elections for the Turkish parliament and presidency are scheduled for June.

After 20 years in office, Mr. Erdogan is running for a second term.

On February 6th, more than 160,000 structures with 520,000 units either collapsed or suffered severe damage.

According to the authorities, approximately 200 people, including building contractors and property owners, have already been arrested and hundreds more are reportedly being investigated.

Since many new structures were unsafe due to widespread corruption and government regulations, experts have been warning about this for years.

At Adiyaman, Mr. Erdogan pledged to erect infrastructure, hospitals, and parks in addition to more than 500,000 new residences.

Elections for the Turkish parliament and presidency are scheduled for June. After 20 years in office, Mr. Erdogan is running for a second term.

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