Death Toll from Türkiye - Syria earthquake exceeds 35,000

Colombo (News1st) - The death toll from the Turkey-Syria earthquakes has passed 35,000 on Sunday (12).

At least 29,000 people have been killed in Turkey while at least 6000 are known to have died in Syria.

The UN's top relief official has warned that the death toll could double from the present number, which would take it to over 50,000 deaths.

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN, on Saturday told reporters in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaras, which was devastated by the first quake, "I think it is difficult to estimate precisely as we need to get under the rubble but I'm sure it will double or more." 

Rescue efforts are still underway.