Al-Assad in the first visit for the earthquake victims in Aleppo hospital

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma al-Assad, visited a hospital in Aleppo today, in the first announced visit to the quake-hit areas.

The Syrian presidency today released pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife visiting the injured at Aleppo University Hospital.

Since Monday, Syria and Turkey have been in a catastrophic crisis, following a devastating earthquake that has hit both countries and left thousands dead and injured.

On Thursday evening, Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash said the death toll from the earthquake that hit the country has risen to 1,347 and the number of injured to 2,295.

During a press conference on the repercussions of the earthquake disaster, al-Ghabbash called on the World Health Organization to grant his country medical and relief supplies, calling on the United Nations and international agencies to extend a helping hand to his country.

The Syrian Minister of Health confirmed his country’s keenness to allow aid to reach those who need it immediately. He pointed to a lack of rescue equipment and rubble removal.

The health sector in Syria needs more international support, he said, adding that the Syrian medical sector is suffering from an earthquake as a result of the sanctions.

The United Nations called on the international community to support Syria after the earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people and injured thousands.