Erdogan Acknowledges Some Problems with Türkiye’s Quake Response

People try to reach people trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP)
People try to reach people trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP)
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Erdogan Acknowledges Some Problems with Türkiye’s Quake Response

People try to reach people trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP)
People try to reach people trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP)

President Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged on Wednesday some problems with Türkiye’s initial response to the earthquake that rocked the south but said normal operations have resumed, adding that the death toll in the country rose to 8,574.

Erdogan made his first visit to the devastated region since the Monday, when two massive quakes hit within hours, just as confirmed deaths in Türkiye and neighboring Syria shot beyond 11,000.

Speaking to reporters in the Kahramanmaras province near the epicenter, with constant ambulance sirens in the background, Erdogan said there had been problems with roads and airports but that everything would get better by the day.

"On the first day we experienced some issues but then on the second day and today the situation is under control," he said.

The government aims to build housing within one year for those left without a home in the 10 provinces affected, he added.

The most destructive in decades, the initial tremor wrought havoc on hospitals, airports and roads, and knocked down more than 6,400 buildings in Türkiye. Many residents have since complained about insufficient resources and slow emergency response.

"We had some problems in airports and roads but we are better today. We will be better tomorrow and later. We still have some issues with fuel...but we will overcome those too," Erdogan said after visiting tents set up by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

He also said citizens should only heed communication from authorities and ignore "provocateurs".

Turkish authorities say some 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 km (280 miles) from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east.



European Leaders: Iran Must Not Take Destabilizing Action

A Pakistani woman holds a national flag of Iran during a rally in solidarity with the Iranian people, in Karachi, Pakistan, 22 June 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
A Pakistani woman holds a national flag of Iran during a rally in solidarity with the Iranian people, in Karachi, Pakistan, 22 June 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
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European Leaders: Iran Must Not Take Destabilizing Action

A Pakistani woman holds a national flag of Iran during a rally in solidarity with the Iranian people, in Karachi, Pakistan, 22 June 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
A Pakistani woman holds a national flag of Iran during a rally in solidarity with the Iranian people, in Karachi, Pakistan, 22 June 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Sunday urged Iran not to take any actions that would further destabilize the region following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities overnight.

"We have consistently been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and can no longer pose a threat to regional security," the government heads of Germany, Britain, France, known as the E3, said in a joint statement.

"We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear program. We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties."

The E3 also confirmed their support for the security of Israel, the statement said.

US forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said late on Saturday, warning Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.

"We will continue our joint diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and ensure the conflict does not intensify and spread further," the E3 statement said.