Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Death toll from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria could double, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator says

Two Spartan military transport aircraft flew the Bulgarian rescuers home last night, another team was flown out to replace them
Photo: Defence Ministry press service

The current death toll from the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria could double from its current level, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths stated. The official death toll in the two countries currently stands 28,191. According to the UN, no less than 870,000 people are in need of warm food. 5.3 million people could be left without a roof over their heads in Syria alone. 32,000 staff from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and 8,294 rescuers from abroad are taking part in the rescue operations.

Two Spartan military transport aircraft flew the Bulgarian Red Cross mountain rescuers and Sofia municipality emergency rescuers home last night, alongside the trained dogs, after taking part in the rescue operations in different towns in Turkey. Another team was flown out from Sofia to replace them.

Unrest in southern Turkey has disrupted rescue efforts in some places following Monday's deadly earthquake, three rescue groups have said, the BBC reports. German rescuers and the Austrian army paused search operations on Saturday, citing clashes between unnamed groups.

Sofia municipality has set up 7 drop-off locations for donations for the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey, open 9 AM-6 PM, at some of the most popular marketplaces in Sofia. The chairman of the Sofia City Council Georgi Georgiev said in an interview with the BNR, that the items needed most are cold weather tents, blankets, generators, gas heaters and winter clothing. As of Monday, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria is also setting up donation spots at its offices throughout the country.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov inducted into the Everesting Hall of Fame

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov has officially become part of the Everesting Hall of Fame, Sportal.bg reports. Between March 21 and 23, the ''Invictus'' Victor Asenov completed 19 consecutive ascents from Aleko Hut to Cherni Vrah Mount on..

published on 4/18/25 3:59 PM

Bulgaria has asked to withdraw its request to the EC for the second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan

Bulgaria has asked to withdraw its request to the European Commission for the second payment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Commission confirmed to BNR. The request was submitted yesterday following coordination with the..

published on 4/18/25 1:04 PM

Border Police: Traffic on the Danube Bridge in Ruse is limited to one lane

Border Police remind that major repairs are underway on the Bulgarian section of the Danube Bridge in Ruse, and because of this, a temporary traffic organization has been implemented. Traffic is in one lane with a regulated flow, controlled by the..

published on 4/18/25 10:41 AM