Opposition bloc lambasts government's response to earthquake

"An unfettered greed for economic rent which was accompanied by corruption in the construction industry made our people pay a deadly price," six opposition leaders said on Saturday in a joint statement after their first meeting following the twin earthquakes on 6 February.

The alliance in formation, known as the "Table of Six", consists of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), nationalist opposition Good Party, Islamist Welfare Party, and three small center-right parties, Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), Future Party and Democrat Party.

The leaders said in a written statement:

"It is apparent that the required preparations had not been made and necessary measures had not been taken before the disaster struck in Turkey, a country in the earthquake zone. The weakening of Disaster and Emergency Management's (AFAD) capacity, recruitment of incompetent individuals as senior officials, having earlier declared amnesty for earthquake prone buildings, and an unfettered greed for economic rent which was accompanied by corruption in the construction industry made our people pay a deadly price."

The leaders also heavily criticized the government's response to the earthquake:

"Unfortunately the process following the earthquake could not be managed effectively, and the search and rescue operations have been hampered by delays and shortcomings (...) It has been sadly observed that the impact of the disaster was magnified as basic needs could not be provided for the victims from the very first moment on and aid operations could not be carried out in coordination."