Families wait in painful desperation as bodies of their loved ones are pulled from the rubble of buildings that collapsed after a massive 7.8 earthquake struck Hatay and other cities in Turkey in a destructive wave of heartache.
Families wait in painful desperation as bodies of their loved ones are pulled from the rubble of buildings that collapsed after a massive 7.8 earthquake struck in Hatay, Turkey in February 2023. Cities in Turkey and Syria were devastated with thousands displaced in a destructive wave of heartache. The confirmed death toll stood at 59,259.
Some screamed in raw anguish, others bore these unbearably tragic circumstances with a quiet dignity and grace. They slept in cars amid the ruins and waited by fires to keep warm in the chilly darkness.
Many blame shoddy construction for the vast number of possibly preventable deaths. Some are considering lawsuits to prevent such dire consequences in the future.
As the bodies lay in bags amid the rubble awaiting transport to a final resting place, one mother said sadly, ‘Our story is over.’
They took loved ones back to their villages for immediate burial finding some solace knowing they are finally at peace. Survivors embraced each other’s hearts as Turkey mourned its dead.
International teams came from across the world to assist in recovery efforts. In a small ray of hope amid the devastation, rescue workers rejoiced as 7-year-old Syrian girl named Ayah was pulled from the rubble. Ayah means ‘Miracle'...