More than 8,000 people have been pulled alive from the earthquake rubble in Turkey but the death toll from the disaster surpassed 41,000 on Wednesday afternoon.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said in a recorded message World Government Summit in Dubai that another 81,000 injured have been discharged from the hospital.

“I would like to thank once again to all the friendly and sisterly countries that have been collecting aid for our nation day and night, supporting our search-and-rescue efforts with their teams, and not forgetting us in their prayers,” Erdogan said.

The earthquake, he said, “showed the importance of international solidarity.”

The devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake followed by powerful aftershocks on Feb. 6, one nearly as powerful as the first tremblor, crumbled buildings and infrastructure through central and southern Turkey and northwestern Syria.

Turkey’s disaster agency also placed the number of injured at 195,962 injured. Syrian government officials said 1,414 people died in locations they control.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said another 4,400 have died in the war-ravaged areas controlled by anti-government rebels.

UN officials say that rescue efforts are coming to an endand that they are shifting focus to providing shelter, food and education to survivors.

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE