Erdogan promises measures against those looting in earthquake-hit areas

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated today that the government will take measures against those involved in looting and other crimes in the region hit by this week's devastating earthquake.

The security issue has been focused after the Austrian Army suspended rescue operations there because of what its spokesman called “an increasingly difficult security situation”.

There have been reportedly clashes between unidentified groups and that about 80 Austrian troops in the region have been sheltered at a base camp with other international organisations pending instructions.

“We have declared the state of emergency”, Erdogan said during a visit to the disaster zone today, Reuters reports.

“means from now on, people who are involved in robbery or kidnappings should know that the strong hand of the state is on their backs”, he said.

Erdogan also said hundreds of thousands of buildings were uninhabitable throughout southern Turkey and that authorities would soon begin the reconstruction process.