German groups suspend Turkey rescue efforts over security problems

Two German aid organisations suspend rescue operations, citing security problems and reports of clashes between groups of people and gunfire.

The German International Search and Rescue (ISAR) and Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) said they would resume their work as soon as Turkish civil protection agency AFAD classifies the situation as safe.

ISAR Operations Manager Steven Bayer said the security situation was slightly deteriorating as the days since the disaster wore on and this was typical in such circumstances.

Members of the German International Search and Rescue (ISAR) pull a woman from the rubble of a house on 10 February, 100 hours after the quake (Twitter: ISAR)

"That's partly due to the fact that food is now running out, water supply is running out, and then people are out searching for food and water," he said, speaking at a camp for rescue workers in the town of Kirikhan.

"A second thing is that the hope that people had is now increasingly fading, and that hope can then also turn into anger."