The powerful earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria has left tens of thousands dead so far. Despite the sadness caused by the tragedy, the rescue of survivors is a moment of joy for all those who have been dedicating themselves to the search for days. Footage of first responders’ efforts has flown around the world and brings hope that more people can be saved. Check out some of these exciting records in this gallery
*Intern at R7under the supervision of Lucas Ferreira
Little boy rescued after 79 hours among rubble
A 2-year-old boy was rescued in Hatay, Turkey, after being trapped in a gap of concrete blocks and iron beams for 79 hours. Mert Tatar was taken to hospital, but local authorities have yet to provide information on the child’s health status.
Girl is found protecting younger brother trapped in rubble
Miriam and her brother, Ilaaf, were trapped between slabs for 36 hours, and when the rescue team found them, the girl assured them that she would do anything the rescuers asked if they got the two out together. In addition to Miriam and Ilaaf, the father, mother and a third brother were trapped after the house where they live collapsed. The whole family was rescued alive.
Rescuers ask for silence to continue searches
Between screams and desperate cries, the teams need to maintain a certain coolness to continue the work. Asking for silence to hear the pleas or movements of the victims under the wreckage, the teams make an appeal for rationality
Children surviving without family
The death toll as a result of the earthquake has already exceeded 22,000, and many of the survivors are being found without their own families. This is the case of many children and adolescents, who are under the care of their remaining relatives. Orphans who have not yet been claimed are in hospitals and shelters under the care of volunteers.
Rescuers, in desperation, dig with their bare hands
In a race against time, rescuers are struggling to find people within 72 hours, the estimated time for the possibility of still life. Unable to use heavy machinery, due to the risk of explosion or crushing the victims, whose location is uncertain, the search teams use light tools, sniffer dogs and their bare hands. With callused fingers, the volunteers endlessly sift through the rubble
Police officer helping search manages to find daughter in rubble
A police officer who is helping in the search for survivors of the earthquake in the locality of Hatay managed to find his own daughter, 6 years old, who had been under the rubble for more than 24 hours. Zekeriya Yildiz hugged the girl and soothed her as soon as they met, leaving the child safe. Then the agent went back to help other people
Girl stays under debris for more than 24 hours
Little girl Muhammet Ruzgar spent more than 24 hours under a lot of concrete, twisted iron and dust before rescuers found her. Volunteers used shovels and bare hands to reach the survivor. The situation has brought hope to parents hoping their children will be found alive. Hundreds of people are still missing, including children.
Syrian boy gets water from a bottle cap
While rescuers are unable to rescue a child trapped between concrete blocks, the team tries to calm him down with sips of water. Through a cap, small doses are offered to the little boy, who seems to find the situation funny. Between smiles and confused looks, the boy apparently doesn’t know what’s going on. Despite the alarming casualties, some people are still being rescued alive.
Man searches for 30 buried relatives
Malik Ibrahim lived in the same building as most of his family members. When the earthquake struck, Ibrahim, his wife and children managed to flee, but an uncle and cousin were not so lucky. With the help of neighbors and first responders, the man searches for the families of both relatives.
Father holds hand of dead teenage daughter
The image, which goes around the world, shows a man with a lost look. The character in the photo is a father holding the hand of his dead 15-year-old daughter amid rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey
Almost 2-year-old baby survives, but mother and siblings die
The Syrian girl Raghad Ismail, just 18 months old, was rescued from the rubble of the house where she lived after the property collapsed in the great earthquake that caused devastation in Syria and Turkey. But most of the baby’s family, like her mother and siblings, couldn’t resist. The child emerged unharmed from the ruins in the Syrian city of Azaz, in the early hours of Monday (6). Her father is also alive, but with a fractured spine.
Animals are also among survivors
Among the victims of the earthquake are countless animals. When possible, support teams try to rescue and care for the animals, which will be relocated to safe spaces. Pet owners, if alive, will have the opportunity to retrieve them. Authorities will care for cats, dogs and others who may be ‘orphaned’, finding spaces or family for them
Baby rescued after being born in rubble
In the ruins of a building in Jindires, Syria, rescue teams found a baby, born under the rubble, still connected to her dead mother’s body by the umbilical cord. The child was the only survivor of the family. Her condition is stable, and the baby’s custody will remain with her uncle