Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is coming under increased scrutiny from his people as emergency aid fails to reach key earthquake-hit areas.
One man in the Turkish city of Antakya, among the worst-hit areas in the country’s south, said that without adequate aid, people would die of starvation.
He told Sky News: “We survived the earthquake, but we will die here due to hunger and cold.”
A severe cold has developed across the most impacted areas, with temperatures plummeting to -6C in some parts of Turkey and Syria.
As well as leaving survivors and those trapped in the rubble in danger of dying from hypothermia, the temperatures also impact recovery efforts.
Rescuers said they have almost given up on hope in some areas.
Ozel Pikal, who helped comb through the rubble in the city of Malatya, said there was “no hope” left for possible survivors.
He said: “No one is coming out alive from the rubble.”
He added that workers have no access to urgently needed machines, as the cold makes it increasingly difficult for them to shift debris with their bare hands.
Many Turks have directly blamed President Erdogan and the national government for their difficulties as officials fail to reach endangered locals.
