Even seven days after the devastating earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border that killed tens of thousands of people, survivors are still being rescued from collapsed buildings in a race against time. After being trapped under rubble for 163 hours, rescue teams in Hatay province freed a seven-year-old boy and a 62-year-old girl late on Sunday, state news agency Anadolu Ajansi reported Monday evening.
A 45-year-old man buried for 162 hours was rescued in Kahramanmaras province. During the rescue, Polat told rescuers that he had been banging on the stove next to him, allegedly making noises to draw attention to himself. A ten-year-old boy had to wait 158 hours for rescue in the city of Adimayan. His first wish, to get fruit gums, touched the hearts of the saviors.
The number of confirmed deaths now stands at more than 35,000, of which at least 5,900 in Syria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). UN emergency aid coordinator Martin Griffiths even expected up to 50,000 deaths on Sunday. Thousands are still missing.
Aid does not reach everyone – violence escalates
A week after the tragedy, the extent of the devastation is becoming increasingly apparent. The head of the Kurdish community, Ali Ertan Toprak, warned of escalating violence. “It worries me more and more that people are attacking each other,” he told the editorial network Germany (RND / Monday). “Many places have not received any help to this day. That’s why the anger is so great.”
Critical: Building regulations not implemented
People also wonder why so many buildings could collapse. The first arrest warrants were issued. The suspects are believed to be responsible for construction flaws that may have contributed to the collapse of the building, the state news agency Anadolu reported, citing prosecutors. Experts criticize building regulations for more earthquake protection not being implemented.
“On paper, Turkey has one of the best building standards in the world. When it comes to execution, we are the worst,” says urban planning expert Orhan Sarialtun from the Chamber of Engineers and Architects of the German news agency. Most of the damaged buildings in the affected provinces had the same shortcomings: steel and iron bars were used, poor-quality concrete was used and there were miscalculations in soil surveys, Sarialtun said. The opposition blames the government for the failed construction. There is an election campaign in Turkey.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
