It’s been over a week since the devastating twin earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria and the death toll continues to rise. The number of known casualties has passed 30,000 and tens of thousands more are injured. Hundreds of thousands people have lost their homes. Alongside the plight of the Turkish population, Syrian refugees in southern Turkey have suffered a second disaster. Turkey hosts over 3.6 million Syrians who fled their country’s civil war. Almost half a million live in the Hatay region, which was the worst hit by the quakes.
Amidst the overwhelming tragedy, there are moments of joy: three elderly members of the Gezer family were brought out from the rubble in the old town of Antakya by Turkish and Thai rescuers. They had been trapped for at least 135 hours. Miraculously, all three are alive. Almost overcome by relief, rescuers and volunteers applauded as the ambulances drive away.
Omar pleaded in tears as the soldiers walked off into the dusk
Nearby Omar Hassun and his eleven-year-old son, Mahmud, silently watch the rescue mission.
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