Trigger warning: this story contains sensitive information.
Over 7800 people have been killed in two Earthquakes that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday this week. Rescuers are on the scene searching for survivors who may be trapped under the rubble. Both countries are in desperate need of aid and rescue parties.
The first earthquake struck with a magnitude of 7.8 near Gaziantep early on Monday and was followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor which occurred about 80 miles north of the initial quake, in Syria, hours later. The tremor was felt as far as Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and Palestine.
According to Time, over 5,400 deaths have been recorded in Turkey and over 1,800 in Syria. The World Health Organization has warned that the combined death toll could rise to 20 000 and that 23 million people could be affected by the disaster.
Ali Jadallah / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
According to data from the Turkish government, Syrian state media, and humanitarian organisation, White Helmets –who have been assisting in the rescue of survivors – over 26,000 people have been reported injured so far, and thousands of buildings have collapsed.
A search and rescue panel of 59, 971 people have been deployed by the Turkish government, and over 380 000 survivors have been assisted with shelter in government dorms and hotels. Survivors of the quakes are in dire need of aid, as rescuers work at pulling survivors out from the rubble in freezing cold winter conditions.
Getty
In north-west Syria, a newborn girl has been saved by rescuers from beneath the rubble of a building in Jindayris, where her mother had gone into labor soon after the disaster had struck.
The woman had given birth to the baby girl before passing away. The newborn’s father, four older siblings and aunt were also killed by the disaster.
In footage of the newborn being saved, a rescuer retrieves the baby covered in dust from the debris. The baby is then rushed to the hospital. Paediatrician Hani Maarouf reported that the newborn was in a bad condition with “several bruises and lacerations over all her body.”
“She also arrived with hypothermia because of the harsh cold. We had to warm her up and administer calcium,” he added.
Ghaith Alsayed / AP
Doctors now report that the baby girl is in stable condition, and hope has been restored for her young life.
Both countries need all the help they can get. A South African non-governmental organisation and disaster relief group, Gift of the Givers, responded to pleas for help on Monday morning.
“Our staff in Syria and Turkey awoke to a terrifying tremor at 04h10 today, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck various villages and cities in both Turkey and Syria. Our teams rapidly evacuated the children from our Bayt Kareem Child Care Centre in Gaziantep, Turkey, whilst in Darkoush, Syria, our medical teams were on full alert to respond.”
“The casualties started arriving with 25 deceased and 100+ injured and they are pouring in. The casualties in both countries are expected to increase exponentially. Freezing cold, rain and snow are hampering search and rescue efforts.”
Eren Bozkurt / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“We have been contacted directly by the Turkish Ambassador to South Africa, Aysegul Kandas, and by the Consul General in Cape Town, Sinan Yesildag, to assist in this huge disaster.”
The organisation reported that they are meeting with Turkish Consul General and the GM of Turkish Airlines, Muhammed Soner Aydin in order to make flight arrangements through to Turkey to assister further, with medical teams and specialised equipment on standby, ready to fly out.
“Turkish Airlines will facilitate the transport.Medical supplies, equipment, consumables, tents, blankets, food and other humanitarian aid will be purchased in Turkey. We are expanding our volunteer medical, search and rescue teams.”
“Those interested can message Dr Qasim Bhorat 0842307866 (medical) or Ahmed Bham 0735716392 (search and rescue). Those wanting to assist financially can deposit into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref Turkey.”
