Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today, Saturday, that the government will take action against perpetrators of looting and other crimes in the region affected by the devastating earthquake that occurred last week, considering that the country is facing a major disaster that "the Turkish people will overcome."
Erdogan announced that the death toll from the earthquake in his country had risen to 21,848, while the number of injured had reached more than 80,000.
He explained during a speech in Diyarbakir that the number of people affected by the earthquake in the affected areas and their surroundings may reach 20 million citizens, noting that 160,000 search and rescue workers from inside and outside Turkey continue to work day and night, adding, "We will not leave any citizen under the rubble."
Erdogan pointed out that "the harsh climatic conditions make rescue operations difficult, but they will not hinder us from providing relief to the afflicted."
He also said that hundreds of thousands of buildings across southern Turkey were no longer habitable, and that the state would begin the reconstruction process soon.
"We intend to rebuild hundreds of thousands of buildings. We will start taking concrete steps in a few weeks," the president added.
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Erdogan revealed that all student housing units in Diyarbakir will serve the affected citizens, and that education will be remote, saying that all the earthquake-hit states have begun construction of temporary homes.
The Turkish president also decided to postpone several procedures for several months, including joining the compulsory military service.
Erdogan added, "We declared a state of emergency, and this means that from now on those involved in looting or kidnapping must know that the strong grip of the state is waiting for them."
He continued, "Some of the weak-minded took advantage of the disaster to plunder, plunder, and kidnap people, and that is why we declared a state of emergency," criticizing some parties, saying, "Some parties and political forces, unfortunately, are fishing in troubled waters and do not have a spirit of unity."
Erdogan thanked "all brotherly and friendly countries for their support and assistance," recalling that "our people are known for their ability to overcome the most difficult circumstances, and we will definitely overcome this tragedy."
On the other hand, the French Press Agency reported a while ago - quoting local media - that the Turkish authorities had arrested 12 contractors due to the collapse of buildings due to the earthquake.