Over 28,000 Dead in Turkey Earthquake... 150 Hours 'Miraculous Survival'

Security Instability and Rampant Looting
Survivors Face 'Secondary Disaster' Threats from Cold and Epidemics

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] One week after a major earthquake struck T?rkiye (Turkey) and Syria, the death toll continues to rise. On the 12th (local time), T?rkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the death toll in T?rkiye had increased to 24,617.

In Syria, which shares a border with T?rkiye, at least 3,574 people have died and 5,276 have been injured. The combined total death toll for the two countries is 28,191. There are also predictions that the death toll could more than double from this number.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, visited Kahramanmara?, one of the main earthquake-affected areas, the day before and said, "We need to look under the rubble, so we cannot count exactly, but it is certain that the death toll will be double or more than the current number."

Amid these projections, miraculous rescue stories continue to emerge. In Hatay Province, one of the hardest-hit areas in T?rkiye, a young girl named Dana was rescued after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building for 150 hours. In the same area, a 7-month-old baby was rescued after 140 hours, according to T?rkiye's state-run TRT. A 35-year-old Turkish man also survived after 149 hours.

Meanwhile, survivors face increasing risks of secondary disasters such as cold and infectious diseases. Experts have warned that drinking water could be contaminated due to bodies trapped under the rubble. In refugee camps, hygiene issues are also raised as proper toilets are not adequately provided.

Looting has also surged, threatening survivors. Dozens of looters have been arrested in severely affected areas such as Hatay Province, and rescue operations have been halted due to safety concerns.