According to the Turkish authorities, the earthquakes have hit an area of 1,000 square kilometers very hard. 13.5 million people live in the area. Satellite images are used to get a picture of the situation in the earthquake area.
The first aerial images of Kahramanmaras, also known as Maras, show major damage, especially in the center. Members of the city council have said that 95 percent of the buildings have been damaged or destroyed, according to Turkish media. Erdogan promised to house homeless people in hotels in the seaside resorts of Antalya, Alanya and Mersin, among others. He also promised monthly financial support to the victims.
Due to the damage to infrastructure such as roads and tunnels, the city and the region are difficult to reach for aid workers. When clearing the rubble, many also fear that survivors under the rubble could quickly succumb to the cold. Almost 50,000 wounded have already been counted. The health minister said 77 field hospitals have been set up in the affected provinces.