23m could be affected by Turkey earthquake: WHO

Up to 23 million people could be affected by the massive earthquake that has killed thousands in Turkey and Syria, the World Health Organization warned Tuesday.

"Event overview maps show that potentially 23 million people are exposed, including around five million vulnerable populations," WHO senior emergencies officer Adelheid Marschang told the UN health agency's executive committee, rep[orts AFP.

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose above 5,000 on Tuesday, official data showed, with rescue workers still searching for trapped survivors.

At least 3,419 people have died in Turkey and 1,602 in government- and rebel-controlled parts of Syria, bringing the total to at least 5,021, officials and medical sources said.