Iskenderun (Turkey) ∙ Amazing stories of survival emerge from earthquake-ravaged Turkey and Syria. Days after the earthquake, their efforts to hold on to their lives brought tears to the eyes of even the rescue workers. They rescued many people who were trapped between concrete layers for more than 100 hours. Here are some:
Melda Adtus (16 years)
∙ Rescue workers pulled her out of the rubble of buildings in Hatay, southern Turkey, after a five-hour effort. The investigation was launched after neighbors reported hearing screams amid the debris. On the fourth day Melda was found trapped under a wall when the rubble was removed.
Adnan Muhammad Korkut (17)
∙ Adnan’s life was restored after 94 hours in Gazintep, a border area where 1.35 crore people lost their homes in the earthquake. Adnan tearfully revealed to the rescuers that he held on to life by drinking his own urine when his tongue was dry.
Yagis Komsu (4)
∙ The boy came back to life in the 105th hour of worry. Later, his mother Ayfar Komsu was also found with broken ribs. The rescue workers had given strict instructions not to frighten the boy by making noise or clapping his hands. The rescue operation was broadcast live by some TV channels.
∙ The stories of survival are endless, with rescuers bringing back to life a couple who spent 109 hours inside a crevasse in Iskendurun, a woman from a 50-hour effort in the rubble of a house in Kirikhan, and 2 teenage sisters in Kaharamenmarash.
The death toll has crossed 22,000
The total death toll in Monday’s earthquake has crossed 22,000. In Turkey alone, 19,300 people died and 77,000 were injured. 3,300 confirmed dead in Syria
Ghanaian footballer Atsu (31) was reported missing after the earthquake. Atsu is a player who won praise for playing in the Turkish league on Sunday hours before the earthquake. Earlier there was news that he was rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. It is reported that the director of Hatas Soccer Club, Tanner South, is also missing. Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey said the search for them is continuing.
English Summary: Turkey-Syria earthquake rescue operation