Turkey quake death toll rises to 534

Rain and snow today compounded difficulties for thousands rendered homeless in the powerful earthquake that hit eastern Turkey, and the government said the death toll has gone up to 534.

Rain and snow today compounded difficulties for thousands rendered homeless in the powerful earthquake that hit eastern Turkey, and the government said the death toll has gone up to 534.

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The prime minister's centre for crisis and emergency management said 2,300 people were injured and 185 were rescued from the rubble. Meanwhile, a moderate earthquake, measuring 5.4 according to Turkey's Kandilli seismology centre, hit the neighbouring province of Hakkari today, sending people rushing out of buildings in fear and panic.

No damage was reported but NTV television said some people were slightly injured while trying to escape through windows. That temblor was centered 150 kilometres south of the epicentre of Sunday's devastating quake. Turkish authorities delivered more tents after acknowledging initial problems in the distribution of aid for survivors of the 7.2-magnitude quake that shattered at least 2,200 buildings on Sunday.

Rain gave way to intermittent snow, deepening the hardship of thousands of people either rendered homeless in the powerful earthquake or too afraid to return indoors amid aftershocks that continued to rattle the area. In the worst-hit city of Ercis, families who managed to obtain tents shared them with others. Some people spent a fourth night outdoors huddled under blankets in front of campfires, either waiting for news of the missing or keeping watch over damaged homes.