Turkey-Syria earthquake: Storms and freezing temperatures hamper rescue efforts

Storms and cold weather hampered search and rescue efforts in earthquake-hit areas of Turkey and Syria in the last 24 hours. 

Storm Barbara brought strong winds, heavy rain and even snow to the devastated region, with daytime temperatures several degrees below average - leaving rescuers facing wet and freezing conditions as they work against the clock in the search for survivors.

Conditions look set to improve over the coming days but temperatures will remain low.

Death toll tops 5,000 as Syrian town bombed 'straight after' earthquake - latest updates

In Gaziantep, close to the epicentre of the quake, recovery efforts will have to contend with overnight temperatures of -5C with more rural areas experiencing values even lower than that.

The region will be mainly dry but some areas may experience showers, sometimes wintry, over the coming days.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning as people slept.

A second earthquake on Monday afternoon, at a slightly lower magnitude of 7.5, also caused widespread damage.

More than 285 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquake.

So far, the tremors have left more than 6,300 people dead.

And with many more trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, the death toll is expected to rise.

'Every minute' hope diminishes for survivors

Charities and humanitarian organisations have warned that with almost 5,800 buildings destroyed in Turkey alone, the next 36 hours are critical in finding survivors.

"It's now a race against time," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said.

He added: "Every minute, every hour that passes, the chances of finding survivors alive diminishes."

More than 8,000 people have been pulled from the debris in Turkey and around 380,000 have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels.

Read more:
The emergency tech which could help find survivors
More tremors as WHO warns death toll could exceed 20,000
Gruesome work - how an earthquake rescue unfolds
'Women are crying and destruction is everywhere'

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly confirmed in the House of Commons today that three Britons are missing in Turkey but "the likelihood of large-scale British casualties remains low".

Mr Cleverly added that the Foreign Office is supporting at least 35 British nationals who have been directly affected by the earthquakes.

The Foreign Office also confirmed that a flight taking UK aid to Turkey has taken off.