Disaster Strikes in Turkey
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Photos: Reuters, EPA
As the reality of the devastation sets in and hours have now turned into days, some are still clinging to life.
The small and possibly one of the poorest villages in Turkey, Ercis, was rocked on Sunday, October 23rd, by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. While the Turkish people are not strangers to the rumblings of Mother Nature, going through this disaster is mentally and physically draining. While many are optimistic that some may still be found alive amongst the wreckage and debris, the death toll has risen to over 459, 1352 injured, countless missing and 2,262 buildings in ruin leavings tens of thousands homeless. It was reported that 55 buildings collapsed and about 25 apartment buildings and a student dormitory collapsed in town along with a health services building.
Good news was welcome on Tuesday morning as a 2-week-old baby girl was pulled out of the rubble alive. Thankfully the baby’s mother and grandmother were also brought out alive. It is an absolute miracle. Temperatures have been falling to near-freezing and many of the injured are trying to stay warm using wood from collapsed buildings for a makeshift fire.
A crisis center is now set up in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Over 2300 emergency personnel are now on hand in the area, some coming from as far away as Iran and Azerbaijan.
Many people are in makeshift tents. Residents are fearful to go inside buildings because of aftershocks and fearful they may be trapped. Turkey has requested prefabricated housing and tents from more than 30 countries, including Israel, even though there is increased tension between the nations. Over 500 aftershocks have been felt, one with a magnitude of 5.4. Power has been cut and this has been hampering the restoration efforts.
Even though it seems like relief efforts are slow to arrive, the Turkish Red Crescent is preparing temporary shelter for about 40,000 people and 12,000 tents are set to arrive and be set up in Van, Turkey for the most neediest of victims.
The top priority at this time is keeping some sort of semblance of order while trying to provide relief in the form of food, water and shelter. Timing is key so the region does not become another Afghanistan.
President Obama released a statement on the disaster:
“On behalf of the American people, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women who are working to bring assistance to this stricken region. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish ally in this difficult time, and are ready to assist the Turkish authorities.”
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