Lack of hygienic facilities endangers survivors in quake-hit Türkiye

ANTAKYA, Türkiye, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Six days after the deadly twin earthquakes that killed nearly 30,000 in Türkiye, the lack of hygienic facilities has started to endanger the survivors.

With thousands of buildings destroyed across the 10 quake-hit provinces in southern Türkiye and many more unsafe to enter, the lack of lavatory facilities becomes one of the major issues.

"The issue of hygiene is becoming more and more urgent," wrote Ihsan Cakir, deputy general secretary of Hatay Municipality on Friday. The Hatay province was one of the worst hit areas by Monday's earthquakes.

"We need portable toilets," said Cakir, noting that volunteers and other personnel are now forced to go to neighboring cities to meet their needs.

Local media reported Sunday that 58 portable toilets and showers had been sent to the affected areas, while manufacturers around the country are gearing up to produce more.

In addition to toilets, access to clean water was just as urgent.

"Underwater sources might have been polluted, with the sewage system in ruins," warned Celalettin Kocaturk, a doctor in Istanbul, adding that now the tap water is not safe for drinking or ablutions.

"There is an increased risk of an epidemic," he said.

The latest official death toll in Türkiye as of Sunday evening was 29,605 people.