The death toll in Turkey's earthquake stood at 13,040 yesterday as political aftershocks continued to rattle the Prime Minister, Mr Bulent Ecevit's, coalition government, this time over a proposed new "quake tax".
Rescue operations ended on a bitter note when a search for four children believed trapped under the rubble of a building was abandoned.
The government crisis centre here also announced the latest figure for the injured as 26,630.
The search for the children in Cinarcik, near Yalova, was the last of any significance in the earthquake area and was manned at one point by Bulgarian, German and military and civilian Turkish rescue teams.
The German team, which had confirmed signs of life on Tuesday evening, pulled out late on Wednesday having failed to pick up any indications of life and was followed yesterday by the others.
The government came under sharp criticism for a one-off "national earthquake solidarity tax" which foresees a 10 per cent increase in income and corporate taxes, doubles real estate and vehicle levies and imposes extra taxation on individuals.
"The government, which was late with the relief effort, acted too early with the tax," commented former prime minister, Ms Tansu Ciller, leader of the opposition True Path Party. Business leaders also condemned the measure, saying it would only constitute a further blow to Turkey.
Half a million pounds has been collected by the Red Cross in Ireland for Turkish earthquake victims. The amount includes £200,000 of State aid and £300,000 in individual donations. Shelter and proper sanitation are the main priorities for Red Cross and Crescent personnel in Turkey. Some 27,000 tents have been set up along with accommodation centres housing up to 5,000 people and almost 1,000 caravans and camp trailers. Donations can be made by calling CallSave 1850-50-70-70 or by cheque or postal order to the Irish Red Cross Society, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.