A week after the strong earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border area, thousands of people are still missing. It is unlikely that there are Austrians among them. The State Department has no information that anyone is still missing. An Austrian is currently being treated in a hospital in Turkey.
The embassy in Ankara helps the man plan his return journey. In Turkey, two people from Austria died in the devastating earthquake. In total, more than 37,500 deaths were reported on Monday, including 31,643 from Turkey. More than 80,000 other people were injured.
Little hope for survivors
Survivors found now must have had access to liquid, such as rainwater or snow. Normally, a person can go without water for about 72 hours, after which the situation becomes life-threatening. In southeastern Turkey’s Adiyaman province, a six-year-old was rescued after 178 hours on Monday afternoon, the defense ministry said – another person after 176 hours.
Army builds camps
The first international aid organizations have now ended their efforts in the crisis area. The Austrian soldiers in the heavily affected Turkish province of Hatay are also dismantling their camp. Saving people is becoming “more and more improbable due to the advancement of time,” says operations manager Bernhard Lindenberg. On Monday, the team drove to Adana to prepare five vehicles with 43 tons of special equipment for the return journey. There he stays in a hotel.
The mood among the soldiers is good. That nine people could be saved gives them strength, Lt. Col. Pierre Kugelweis said. “It is very touching when people who have become homeless because of the earthquake hug us and shake hands, that compensates for a lot of stress.” Nevertheless, working through the experience with military psychologists is also on the agenda.
Airport back in operation
As evacuations continue, the airport in Turkey’s southeastern province of Hatay has reopened. According to the airline, residents of the earthquake zone can book seats on free flights. Hatay airport was badly damaged by the earthquake. Early Monday morning a week ago, the first quake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale shook the region at 2:17 am CET, followed hours later by a second severe quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale.
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.
