The Turkish government has rejected a proposal by the Philippines to send a second rescue team because there is little chance of finding earthquake survivors, said Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro of the Philippine Civil Defense Authority.

"We got information that the Turkish government will no longer accept a second contingent coming from us," Alejandro was quoted as saying by the local newspaper Inquirer.

The reason for Turkey's refusal is that the critical 72 hours for finding survivors after the earthquake have already passed. This is the time period considered the most favorable for rescue operations.