Miracles in Turkey: Two-month-old baby pulled from under rubble 128 hours after earthquake
Despite the efforts of rescuers, the death toll in Turkey and Syria is still rising dramatically. Mortality in the two countries has passed 26,000. Search-and-rescue missions continue non-stop in the affected areas, but the chances of finding survivors are slim. To prevent outbreaks, authorities in Ankara could halt the search to send bulldozers to clear the mountains of rubble. Meanwhile, the architect of a residential complex that was completely destroyed in the earthquakes has been detained while trying to flee the country. Turkish prosecutors have announced they are investigating how the collapsed buildings were constructed.
More than 12,500 buildings have been completely or severely damaged in Syria and Turkey. Rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions, and the chances of finding survivors are increasingly unlikely. Nearly 93,000 evacuees have been displaced from southern Turkey and more than 160,000 people have been involved in the rescue efforts.
"We arrived on Tuesday. We've been here for a few days and teams are working very hard on the ground to help everyone. We have rescued a large number of people over the days. It's terrible here! It was a miracle that we were able to save a family with a small child," said rescuer Martin Forai.
People continue to assist rescuers in identifying people. After 128 hours of searching under the rubble in Iskenderun district, a two-month-old baby was found and miraculously survived. The baby was taken to hospital.
"There was no sound ... it was just collapsed houses. Both parents died. The father was pulled out from under the rubble, but he was already dead, and the mother was nowhere to be found."
"We live in this house and as soon as the earthquake hit we went out. My wife was left behind. She was trapped, but I managed to save her."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited a hospital where dozens of people are being cared for.
"Through all the crises we have gone through, this earthquake is this biggest disaster. What we heard from patients is very grave. Doctors and rescuers are working breathlessly these days. We have seen a lot of heroism," said Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also urged people not to lose faith.
"I would like my people to have confidence in the state and the government. We are a great nation, which in its history of over a thousand years has overcome so many calamities. So far we have fulfilled all our commitments to our citizens," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Cuba has announced it is sending teams of doctors and rescuers to Turkey and Syria. Meanwhile, Germany and Austria are withdrawing their rescuers from Hatay because of security risks. Search and rescue teams have remained in a joint camp in the town of Kirikhan for now. Authorities from both countries say rescuers are under stress due to a lack of food and a difficult drinking water supply in the area. Other teams are continuing the search, hoping to save more lives.
