The death toll from Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 28,000, while rescuers are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the quake-hit area.

The magnitude 7.8 quake and the tremors that followed have resulted in the deaths of 24,617 people in Turkey and at least 3,575 people in Syria.

Rescue efforts continue.

On Saturday, a 5-year-old girl was pulled out of debris in the province of Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, and a 7-month-old baby was saved in Hatay province, also in the country's south.

Emergency workers are facing the risk of secondary disasters in Hatay. One rescuer was clearing debris from a building that collapsed on Saturday.

Rescuers from Germany and Austria reportedly suspended operations in Hatay, citing security problems.

A German emergency official said that water and food supplies are running out, and reported that supermarkets and other stores had been destroyed.

The official added that the security situation there has gradually worsened as time has gone by since the quake.

The German rescue team says it will keep in touch with Turkish authorities and plans to resume operations as soon as they classify the situation as safe.