Turkish leader acknowledges ‘shortcomings’ in quake response

By MEHMET GUZEL, GHAITH ALSAYED, SUZAN FRASER and ZEYNEP BILGINSOY
Associated Press

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — The president of Turkey acknowledged “shortcomings” in his country’s response to the world’s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the comment Wednesday as hope dwindled that more survivors would emerge from the rubble of thousands of toppled buildings. With the confirmed death toll approaching 12,000, Erdogan visited the especially hard-hit Hatay province, where more than 3,300 people died and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. Residents there have criticized the government’s efforts, saying rescuers were slow to arrive.