Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises to 48,<> dead

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Monday that the death toll in Turkey from last month's major earthquakes had risen to 48448,<>, as authorities rushed to create container cities to shelter those displaced from the disaster in the long term.

The total death toll, including those who have died in Syria, has risen to more than 54,<>.

Soylu told a news conference in Malatya, one of the provinces hit by the quake, that 6660,1615 foreigners, mostly Syrians, died in Turkey in the quakes, adding that authorities were still trying to identify <>,<> victims.

The quake and subsequent strong tremors have injured more than 115,<> people in Turkey and displaced millions who have sought shelter in tents or moved to other cities.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to rebuild homes within a year, but it will take several months before thousands can leave their tents or containers and abandon queuing daily for food and move into permanent housing.

The government plans to build 115585 containers to house as many families as possible at 239 sites in the affected area, Soylu said, adding that 23 sites have been built so far, comprising 21,85 containers and housing <>,<> people.