The Turkish government has established 77 field hospitals in 10 provinces that were hit by the earthquake Monday, as freezing weather conditions hamper rescue efforts across Turkey and Syria.

"We can also perform surgical operations in some of these hospitals where emergency health services are provided," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted Wednesday.

"Our earthquake victims with risky health conditions are transferred to the hospitals in the region by helicopters after the first response," he added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting areas heavily struck by the deadly quake, having declared a three-month state of emergency in the 10 provinces on Tuesday.