The death toll from the earthquakes in southern Turkey and Syria exceeded 20,000 – Hope in the rubble 85 hours later – “How did you get into my house?”, says a 6-year-old girl who “radiates light” in the darkness of the disaster.
THE SKAI and Manolis Kostidis they are continuing the autopsy on Turkish cities Osmaniye, Alexandretta and Antioch that were struck by Enceladus. Destruction everywhere. Ruins, death, pain and despair.
The death toll from the earthquakes in southern Turkey and Syria exceeded 20,000, according to official reports released this evening.
According to Afad, Turkey’s disaster management agency, 17,134 people have been pulled dead from the rubble so far.
In Syria, the dead amount to 3,162.
In total, the victims so far are 20,296.
In the flattened Alexandretta hundreds of buildings have collapsed. Entire neighborhoods. The images recorded are shocking.
They report hundreds of people stranded just where the SKAI mission is located. There are other whole neighborhoods below. In the last hours, the rescue crews working do not find anyone alive under the ruins. The rescuers are desperately searching for a sign of life in this 6-story apartment building. On the third floor of the apartment building, the rescue crews are digging with their hands and trying to locate survivors. Unfortunately in Alexandretta there are hundreds of dead. Already more than 800 have been announced and many are missing. The ones under the debris. They dig with their hands to reach lower and lower in order to locate, to hear a voice, to manage to free one more person alive from under the debris.
“We will lift this slab and from there on we will see someone is calling for help, taking a breath,” says a Turkish rescuer.
Alexandretta is almost completely destroyed. Night falls and with each passing hour the chance of finding survivors diminishes. Residents and rescue crews light fires next to the wreckage to keep warm
There were three 8-story apartment buildings at the site and it seems that nothing is left. A man approaches Manolis Kostidis. His whole family is in the ruins. The man thanks for the help Greece sent.
A humanitarian aid center has been set up at the site. A whole effort is being made to help people. Food. stoves, halva, tahini.
On his trek and his Manoli Kostidi and his cameraman Antonis Mysirlis in town Osmaniye the pain but also the despair is visible.
“Here I was told that there are hopes for about 60 people who are looking for . They have taken out several dead. The cranes and bulldozers have also come in to lift the foundations. This is a picture we see all over Turkey. But there is also the human drama. We see people waiting for their own people to learn something new”, says Manolis Kostidis.
Residents report that they still have no news about their children, that they are sleeping in their cars or on a train that has come to the scene. They are waiting in line for food.
On the way to Antioch on the highway from Adana, Alexandretta, there is an endless traffic jam of dozens of kilometers from one side humanitarian aid trucks, buses, people who want to reach their city.
For one more night people are forced to sleep outside or in cars in freezing temperatures as their homes have been destroyed.
“I saw the destruction”.. What did the world tell me”
See the testimony of Manolis Kostidis about the destruction he faced during his trek in the flattened areas from the earthquake in Turkey:
Hope in the wreckage 85 hours later
85 hours later, in the wreckage miracles continue, giving strength to the rescuers and hope to the earthquake victims. Hope which is symbolized in an absolute way by the children who manage to get out of the ruins alive, making rescuers, residents and the whole world cry with emotion.
“How did you get into my house?”: Their touching dialogues with the rescuers:
KAHRAMAMARAS
Zubeide
Zubeide, only six years old, shines a light in the darkness of destruction.
Rescuer: Zubeide, were you at home?
Trapped Zubeide: Yes… Am I home now?
Lifeguard: Yes, this is your home.
Caged Zubeide: How did you get into my house?
Rescuer: There?
Trapped Zubeide: How did you get into my house?
Rescuer: We entered through the window.
Rescuer: We saw the window and said to enter.
Rescuer: We said “oh it smells so good, does Zubeide wear that nice perfume?”
Lifeguard: We used to play hide and seek together… Remember?
Caged Zubeide: Yes, ahem.
Rescuer: Of course!
Rescuer: Then I found you too and caught you…
Her rescuers cheat her and she cheats death.
In Turkey and Syria, the living are still waiting…
In Kahramanmaras, a mother keeps her 18-month-old daughter alive by breastfeeding her…
Rescuer: Survive 55 hours. Now she is back in her father’s arms.
She is called Masal which means fairy tale. Her father bends. Her mother still remains buried in the ruins.
Father Masal: My love…
Hamza and Cavesher
Two brothers, Hamza and Cavesher, fight to stay alive. The rescuers. They give them courage.
Caged: Thanks for the water.
Rescuer: Be okay… You’re a lion!
Rescuer: Drink the water and get under the blanket. Okay;
We have a little bit left…
Rescuer: Don’t be afraid. We’ll get you out soon.
Okay;
Rescuer: Wave your hand so I can see you…
Rescuer: Hamza, we’ll get you out in three minutes.
Rescuer: I’ll kiss your hand.
Rescuer: You are a man and I have a son like you. You knew that;
Trapped: Blood is running all over my body…
Paramedic: The ambulance is here and waiting. Where there’s blood we’ll take care of it, my dear.
Caged: Okay.
Rescuer: Don’t be afraid at all.
Rescuer: Cavesher… just a little bit left…
Caged: Get this off me…
Rescuer: We’ll get it out. But when we get it out, will you be able to get out on your own?
Trapped: I can’t I can’t feel the weight of everything.
Lifeguard: Can you get out on your own?
Trapped: I’ll try.
Rescuer: Come on my nun, try.
They call their parents on the phone hoping for good news.
Rescuer: Cavesher is with us and is fine
Parents: Okay… Is Hamza okay?
Rescuer: We’re hearing both Hamza and Cavesher… We’ll take out Hamza first, then Cavesher
Caged: Come daddy next to me.. Come daddy…
Gaziantep
THE Duru she overcomes fear with her cry
Rescuer: What is the child’s name?
Rescuer: Her name is Duru!
Rescuer: Duru!
Rescuer: A knife. Give me a knife.
Rescuer: Watch the head
Rescuer: Come – Come
Rescuers: God is great!
With a kiss Durou is wrapped in a pink blanket. Rescuers give her oxygen again.
Hatay
The cry of the babies remains a guide for the rescue crews who do not give up their efforts.
A few months old Eleni
A few months old Eleni emerges alive from the rubble 68 hours after the twin deadly earthquakes struck last Monday
Savior: I would give my life for you my soul. God thank you!
20 day winner. This is Kerem.
Rescuer: Set aside to get some air!
Rescuer: And bring a handkerchief to warm him up.
Withstand 60 hours in the rubble. In his little hand he still clutches a tuft of his mother’s hair.
Savior: God is great!
Hazal
Hazal sees the light of day again 72 hours later. He is only five years old.
Rescuer: My beautiful girl!
Rescuer: You’ll be warm in a little while, my child.
Lifeguard: Do you want something to eat?
Hazal saved me: I can’t eat. I haven’t been tested yet.
Lifeguard: How old are you?
Hazal rescued: I am five years old.
Rescuer: Do you go to daycare?
Hazal saved me: No, I’m not going.
Lifeguard: Haven’t you been yet?
Hazel saved: No…
Rescuer: How many fingers am I showing you, Hazal?
Hazal saved: There are four.
Mert
Just two years old. Mert is crying sweetly. For 79 hours he was all alone in the dark
Lifeguard: Okay. Okay.
Rescuer: Get the neck collar on him.
Little Eva
In another incident, a rescuer digs with his bare hands. Little Eva is waiting for him.
Eva: Where’s my pillow?
Lifeguard: Is she okay?
Rescuer: First let’s get the child…
The little girl looks at the rescuer while he moves aside the rubble…
Rescuer: Now my child.. now…
Rescuer: Try to get the child out…
She’s asking for her mom…
Eva: Mom…
Rescuer: Wait my sweet child…
Rescuer: Her mom when she saw us raised her head and breathed her last.
A few meters away… Life takes over from death again…
Savior: It is God’s will!
The rescuers burst into tears. They just managed to free a two-year-old girl.
Rescuers: It is God’s will!
Rescuers: Open, open to pass
They form a human chain… The child remains calm in the arms of his rescuer.
Lifeguards: Let’s all go together. Let’s clap.
ANTIOCH
In Antioch the little Ahmed after 71 hours buried in the ruins he wonders why they are taking him to the hospital… Tomorrow he says he has to go to school.
Ahmed: Where are you taking me? I have to go to school tomorrow.
Rescue efforts continue. In Hatay, the ten-year-old Mehmet he cheats death.
Rescuer: He came out of the wreckage 65 hours later…
The critical 72-hour window has now passed but rescuers are not giving up. Another rescue of a small child keeps hope alive.
SYRIA
In Syria, a father saved his son’s life with his body.
Savior: God is great
Lifeguard: Shut up. Slowly! Children!
Rescuer: The child is alive!
Rescuers: God is great!
The rescue crews in Turkey and Syria become one voice for those trapped and still alive to listen to them.
Lifeguards: Can anyone hear us?
And then absolute silence for a cry of hope to be heard through the ruins.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
