Rain and snow today compounded difficulties for thousands rendered homeless in the powerful earthquake that hit eastern Turkey, and the government said the death toll has gone up to 534. The PM’s centre for crisis and emergency management said 2,300 people were injured and 185 were rescued from the rubble.

Meanwhile, a moderate earthquake, measuring 5.4 according to Turkey’s Kandilli seismology centre, hit the neighbouring province of Hakkari today, sending people rushing out of buildings in fear and panic.