Turkish President Erdogan set to make first visit to earthquake hit zones

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Kahramanmaras today to meet earthquake survivors, according to the Turkish Presidency.

The first 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras Province on Monday morning at 4:17am local time. 

There has been mounting frustration that the Turkish government has not been doing enough following two earthquakes that devastated ten Turkish cities.

The Turkish opposition blamed Erdogan for an insufficient emergency response as thousands of people are still believed to be under the rubble in several cities.

Erdogan’s TV appearance on Tuesday also angered many people on social media.

In a combative speech he warned that the government would keep the records of people who disseminate disinformation while the state struggles to take care of its citizens.

Many eyewitnesses, speaking to MEE, have said that the aid efforts particularly in Hatay were insufficient in the first 48 hours of the disaster.

The Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Tuesday night that the search and rescue teams have been doubled in the city where nearly 3,000 building have collapsed.

Erdogan is also expected to visit Hatay this week, a Turkish official said.