During a press conference on his first visit to the earthquake-hit area in southern Turkey, president Erdogan says that the "situation is under control," as reported by AFP.

All the necessary means "have been mobilised" to "carry out these works together with the municipalities and the coordination of AFAD", he adds.

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has risen above 11,200 as rescuers race to save survivors trapped under debris in the winter cold.

Officials and medics said 8,574 people had died in Turkey and 2,662 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the total to 11,236.

Nearly 50,000 people were also injured in Turkey and another 5,000 in Syria, officials and rescuers on both sides said.