It is the ninth day since the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria. After announcing at noon on February 13 that the death toll was at least 31,643, AFAD’s latest release this afternoon stated that after 26 hours, the count reached 31,974 people
It is the ninth day since the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, and arrests and detentions against social media posts of a provocative nature, as well as contractors and other officials responsible for the collapsed buildings, continue. There are widespread allegations of looting and scavenging, leading to the further spread of violence in the earthquake-affected areas. The problem of shelter and heating in the earthquake areas remains unresolved. After announcing at noon on February 13 that the death toll was at least 31,643, AFAD’s latest release this afternoon stated that after 26 hours, the count reached 31,974 people.
The ninth day of earthquakes centred on Turkey’s southeastern province of Maraş began with reactions to the statement by Bülent Arınç, one of the leading figures of the AKP, on the postponement of the elections. In response to the former speaker of parliament, the opposition recalled that the Constitution is clear on the matter and that the elections cannot possibly be postponed.
There is a profound lack of coordination between the public authorities in the areas affected by the earthquake and, in the face of the disorganization, the solidarity networks that are being formed through the general population and that are reaching out to the area are expanding their activities. There are soup kitchens, infirmaries and coordination points in many different places in the hit areas that have been set up with campaigns led by socialists and democratic mass organizations. Solidarity networks are also making efforts to address the shelter and sanitation needs of the surviving victims of the earthquakes, and have started to set up tents in a number of places.
Police attacked two protests in Istanbul that took place in reaction to the state’s failure to take the necessary precautions and its tardiness. Failing to take the necessary measures in the region affected by the earthquakes, the state has already started to ban protests, with the provinces of Mardin and Siirt being the first examples in this regard.
Arrests and detentions continue against individuals who have posted provocative messages on social media, as well as contractors and other officials responsible for the collapsed buildings.
There are widespread reports of looting and pillaging, leading to a further spread of violence in the earthquake-affected areas. The problem of shelter and heating in the earthquake areas remains unresolved.
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