Turkey-Syria earthquake: Death toll tops 25000; 5.3 million people

The death toll after devastating multiple earthquakes stands at more than 25,000 in Turkey and northwestern Syria as rescue efforts continue, AlJazeera reported.

The number of deaths in Turkey rose to 21,848 on Saturday while more than 3,553 were killed in Syria.

United Nations says up to 5.3 million people in Syria may be homeless after the earthquakes, while nearly 900,000 people are in urgent need of hot food in Turkey and Syria.

The Syrian government has approved the delivery of humanitarian aid to quake-hit areas outside its control, according to state media.

Turkey says it is working to open two new routes into rebel-held parts of Syria.