In light of growing resentment at the government's response, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked residents of a region of Turkey that was severely affected by the earthquake for patience regarding rescue delays.
In Adiyaman, Mr. Erdogan stated that "we could not work as we would have liked" due to the tremors and unfavorable weather. I beg your pardon for this," he said.
Following significant earthquakes on February 6, it is known that more than 50,000 people died in Turkey and Syria.
A fresh, smaller earthquake has struck Turkey.
In Malatya province, north of Adiyaman, at least one person was killed and more than 100 people were hurt. The location of several people thought to be trapped under collapsed buildings was being sought after by search and rescue teams.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reports that since the two extremely strong earthquakes on February 6, there have been 45 aftershocks measuring magnitudes 5 to 6.
Orhan Tatar, the head of AFAD, called it "very extraordinary activity.".
The World Bank estimates that the 6 February earthquakes in Turkey directly cost about $34 billion (£28 billion), but the cost of reconstruction may be about twice that amount. Anna Bjerde, a representative of the World Bank, described the situation in Syria as "really catastrophic.".
Mr. Erdogan has been touring some of the worst-affected areas as he runs for re-election as president in elections scheduled for June. He visited Adiyaman after the locals there harshly criticized the emergency response there.
Adiyaman resident Mehmet Yildirim told AFP earlier this month, "I did not see anyone until 2:00 pm on the second day of the earthquake.
"No state, no police, and no government. Shame on you for abandoning us. ".
One and a half million people are still without homes or sanitation as a result of the disaster. Tents for survivors are in short supply.
Football fans are singing "government resign" at games this weekend as discontent has spread across the nation.
Thousands of soft toys were thrown onto the field by Besiktas supporters in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, for distribution to earthquake-affected children.
In the meantime, riot police detained demonstrators in Istanbul.
On February 6th, more than 160,000 structures with 520,000 apartments either collapsed or suffered severe damage.
According to the government, nearly 200 people, including building contractors and property owners, have already been arrested and hundreds more are reportedly being investigated.
Since many new buildings were unsafe due to widespread corruption and government policies, experts have been warning about this for years.
In Adiyaman, Mr. Erdogan pledged to erect infrastructure, hospitals, and parks in addition to more than 500,000 new homes.
Elections for the Turkish parliament and presidency are scheduled for June. After 20 years in office, Mr. Erdogan is running for a second term.
