Monitoring Desk
ANKARA: Security risks put rescue operations on hold on Saturday, as the death toll of quake that hit Turkey and Syria surpassed over 25,000.
Austria and Germany have suspended rescue and search operations in Turkey, citing security issues.
Volunteer organization Syria Civil Defense also announced to end rescue operation in the rebel-held parts in north and northwest Syria.
Rescue operations suspended due to security concerns
Following searching for more than 108 hours, the group stated it believes no one trapped under the debris is still alive.
Syria has been ravaged by war and conflict since 2011, and more than 4 million people were already dependent on humanitarian aid in the worst-affected parts of the country before Monday’s earthquake.
It took almost three days following the quake hit for the first UN convoy to cross via the Bab al-Hawa crossing, which is the only humanitarian aid corridor between Syria and Turkey.
Read Also: Turkey-Syria Earthquake Could Cost More Than $4 Billion: Fitch
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad visited rescue teams and civilians in quake-hit regions on Saturday, including wounded survivors in a hospital in Latakia. Assad had also criticized the lack of humanitarian assistance from Western nations.
The government of Syria approved sending assistance into the rebel-held areas Friday but did not give a specific timeline.
