The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Rescue workers shortly after the quake. Hussein Malla / AP  

The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria 

Piles of body parts, arsenic and oil create concern 

Huge piles of debris have been set up in at least 18 places in Turkey's Hatay province with remnants from the powerful earthquakes six months ago. At least 60,000 people died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria - and now there are fears that more will die.  

Large dust clouds spread from the piles, writes The Guardian in a long report on the six-month anniversary. Lawyer Ecevit Alkan says the pile contains "everything you can think of", such as body parts, oil, heavy metals, medical waste and dead animals. In addition, analyzes have shown that there is asbestos.  

Court cases are now being pursued against local authorities, who have allowed private companies to dump rubbish into rivers, forests and residential areas. 

- They chose locations close to the roads to make it easier for businesses. Over there is a school, says Alkan, pointing along the road. 

Two boys watch as an apartment building damaged in the earthquake is demolished in Istanbul on August 4. Khalil Hamra / AP  

Hulya still lives in the ruins: "Tough to be forgotten"  

Although six months have passed since the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the devastation is still palpable in the affected areas, writes the BBC in a report. 

In the city of Antakya, there is no thought of building anything new, because the cleaning work is still going on. Hulya lives in a tent with her husband Metin, in the same neighborhood as before, a neighborhood that has now turned into ruins. 

- Thank God that nothing happened to my children, my husband, my loved ones or my family, but being forgotten, not being taken care of and being abandoned is very tough, she says.  

At this rate, it will take 20 years to rebuild the city, Hulya estimates. After the quakes, President Erdogan promised it would be done within a year.