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Turkey quake death toll reaches 523

Women from village of Guveali Koyu mourn for their loved ones on October 26, 2011, near Ecris, Turkey. Three days after 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey killing at least 400 and injuring more than a 1,000, rescue workers are still searching for survivors. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian
1 of 5 | Women from village of Guveali Koyu mourn for their loved ones on October 26, 2011, near Ecris, Turkey. Three days after 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey killing at least 400 and injuring more than a 1,000, rescue workers are still searching for survivors. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian | License Photo

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Turkey accepted humanitarian aid from Israel despite strained relations as the death toll from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake rose to 523, officials said.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said rescuers had extracted 185 survivors from the rubble after of Tuesday's 7.2-magnitude quake, which also injured 1,650 people, Today's Zaman reported.

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An Israeli cargo plane carrying seven prefabricated houses and other supplies landed Thursday in Ankara because the airport near Van, the area hardest hit, was too small, NTV television reported.

News reports said eight other countries were expected to deliver mobile homes and blankets, The New York Times said.

CNN reported Britain promised emergency tents for more than 5,500 people whose homes were destroyed, Home Secretary Theresa May said during a visit to Turkey Thursday.

The Turkish government had declined offers for help from more than 50 countries immediately after the earthquake, saying it had enough resources but has since begun seeking aid.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry expressed appreciation for the aid from Israel but said it wouldn't affect strained relations between the countries. Turkey continues to demand an official Israeli apology and compensation for relatives of eight Turks and an American citizen of Turkish descent killed last year when Israeli commandos raided a Turkish aid flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza.

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TV news reports in Turkey Thursday showed people taking supplies from relief trucks and a Turkish Red Crescent official said 17 trucks had been ransacked, the Anatolian News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government would more strictly enforce building laws and demolish particularly weak buildings. Poor construction has been cited as a reason for the extent of the disaster.

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