Death toll from quakes in Turkey, Syria exceeds 36,000

ISTANBUL. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The death toll from last week's earthquakes has exceeded 36,000 in Turkey and Syria, regional media reported.

Turkey has recorded 31,643 casualties, Anadolu reported, citing the Turkish Interior Ministry's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). A total of 29,600 casualties in Turkey were reported a day ago.

Over 4,500 people were killed in Syria as a result of the calamity, Al Jazeera reported.

The UN said on Monday the death toll may reach at least 50,000.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey in the early hours of February 6 and was followed by a series of aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.6. The quake also caused substantial damage and loss of life in neighboring Syria. According to AFAD, over 2,000 aftershocks were registered on February 6-11.