Survivors urgently need faster aid to 'save lives' - WHO says

The World Health Organisation has said the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria has "overwhelmed everyone" - amid warnings the flow of aid must be urgently sped up to save lives.

The number of people killed in both countries continues to grow and now stands at more than 33,000.

Dr Michael Ryan, WHO's executive director, said it was "misleading" to compare the impact in both countries, with so much relying on the "extent of the earthquake" and "population density".

"There's no question, certainly on the side of Turkey, there's a matter of experience in terms of search and rescue, in terms of disaster response," said Dr Ryan.

"They have had their fair share of disasters in the past - but I think what's clear is that this disaster has overwhelmed everyone."

There has been criticism of the amount of aid reaching Syria - the worst-affected area is largely controlled by an Islamist group that is wary of shipments from government-held areas.

There is also only one border crossing open from Turkey to northwest Syria and the first UN convoy only reached the area on Thursday.

The WHO panel, speaking in Syria, said the country was not only battling the aftermath but also freezing temperatures and the end of a cholera outbreak.