184 arrests over building collapse after Turkish earthquakes

184 arrests over building collapse after Turkish earthquakes

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Turkey has arrested 184 people over building collapses in this month’s earthquakes.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Saturday that more than 600 people have been investigated.

Those held in custody include construction contractors, those responsible for buildings, property owners and people who have had renovations done.

The toll from the February 6 disaster has risen to 44,128 in Turkey, or more than 50,000 including victims in Syria.

More than 160,000 buildings, containing 520,000 apartments, collapsed or were severely damaged in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to rebuild homes within a year, though experts say authorities should put safety before speed. Some buildings intended to withstand vibrations collapsed during the earthquakes.

Many survivors have left the stricken region of southern Turkey or have been housed in tents and government-sponsored accommodation.

Under the regulations, individuals, institutions and organizations can build homes and workplaces that they can donate to the Ministry of Urbanization and those properties are then transferred to those in need.

It comes after Turkey was hit by another earthquake on Saturday morning.

The 10 km deep earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck the central area of ​​the country, 40 km south of Aksaray and 18 km northeast of Emirgazi. No casualties have been reported so far.