Turkish police have arrested 12 people in connection with the collapse of buildings in the southeastern provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, local media reported, after powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.

According to the news agency, DHA, there are also contractors among those arrested.

At least 6,000 buildings have collapsed after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6.

More than 25,000 people have died from this earthquake, and the event has fueled public outrage over the poor quality of construction.

More arrests are expected after the public prosecutor in Diyarbakır – one of ten provinces hit by the earthquakes – issued arrest warrants for 29 people on Saturday, state media reported.