The combined death toll from Turkey and Syria rises above 11,200

Turkey’s President Recep Takyip Erdogan announced Monday’s earthquake’s death toll at 8,754. This is in addition to the 2,470 deaths reported in Syria. The official death toll now stands at 11,224.

According to the World Health Organization, the death toll could reach 20,000. In 1999, at least 17,000 people were killed in a similar earthquake.

Reuters reports Erdogan stated that there were problems with roads and airports, but that things would improve over time.

He said that citizens should listen to authorities and not ignore “provocateurs”, as thousands complain about slow responses and lack of resources. Turkish police detained several individuals for their posts on social media about the earthquake.

Polish firefighters claim that they have saved nine people, including a family of four from Besni in Turkey.

Although concerns continue to rise for those still trapped in the rubble, rescuers from Poland working in Turkey reported that they have pulled nine people from the rubble sofar, including two parents and a girl aged 13 from the ruins of Besni.

Although they admitted that temperatures were a problem, Associated Press reports that two firefighters from Poland told Polish TVN24 that some people had been trapped in warm beds by the pre-dawn earthquake. Rescuers stated that they are currently trying to reach a woman they know who is asleep in her bed.

Brig Grzegorz Borowiec, speaking to Poland’s PAP news agency, stated that “We managed to save nine people, including a family with four children, so we are optimistic about future operations.” We began the new day with optimism. We are currently moving three more units so we can find more people.”

Borowiec, the head of the Polish group said that “the situation was very, very difficult.” There is a shortage in everything and a shortage in people who can help. It is difficult to find heavy equipment that can rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.

“Local services have been overwhelmed. It is hard to imagine the extent of the destruction caused by the earthquakes. The number of people rescued and the victims attest to this fact.