More People Pulled Alive from the Rubble After Devastating Turkey-Syria Earthquake

At least three people, including two minors, were rescued alive from the rubble ten days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria.

Miracle Girl and Two Others Rescued from the Rubble

A 17-year-old girl, Aleyna Ölmez, was hailed as the “miracle girl” when she was pulled out of the rubble in Turkey on Thursday, 248 hours after the earthquake hit on February 6. Neslihan Kilic, 30, and a 12-year-old boy named Osman, were also rescued soon after. Osman informed the rescue team that there was another person buried nearby. These three individuals join a small group of quake survivors who have been pulled out alive after being trapped for a long period.

Cold Winter Spell and Humanitarian Crisis Hamper Recovery Efforts

According to authorities, the earthquake has claimed at least 43,885 lives across Turkey and neighboring Syria. The recovery operations have been hampered by a cold winter spell in the quake-stricken regions. The logistical challenges of transporting aid into northwestern Syria have also compounded the humanitarian crisis caused by years of political strife.

Recriminations in Turkey and UN’s Appeal for Aid

Amid recriminations in Turkey over the scale of damage caused by the earthquake, at least 54 people have been arrested in connection with the destruction or damage of buildings, according to Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ on Thursday. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has made an appeal for $1 billion in aid for earthquake relief efforts in Turkey over the course of three months. This appeal came two days after the UN launched a flash appeal for $397 million in earthquake aid for Syria.

Details of the Rescued Survivors

Aleyna Ölmez was taken to Kahramanmaraş Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine directly after the rescue operation on Thursday. Her doctor, Prof. Dilber, was surprised by her good health condition despite not having eaten or drank anything for the entire time she was under the rubble. Neslihan Kilic, who was rescued 258 hours after the earthquake, was also found in Kahramanmaras. She was able to talk and tell rescuers her name when they pulled her out of the rubble. A 12-year-old boy named Osman was rescued in southern Hatay province, and he appeared to be in good condition.

The families of the survivors are still mourning those who did not make it. Neslihan Kilic’s husband and two children are still under the rubble, and her brother-in-law, Gazi Yildirim, expressed his grief and concern for their survival.

The rescue operations continue, and the search for more survivors continues in the hope of finding more “miracle” rescues. The affected regions still require aid and support to overcome the devastation caused by the earthquake.