"My Daughter Is My Hero"... Tearful Reunion of Father and Daughter Separated After Rescue

Dramatic Reunion of Father and Daughter Separated by Turkey Earthquake
Daughter Comforts, "Dad, Don't Cry," as She Is Trapped Under Building Debris

A man in T?rkiye has moved many by finally reuniting with his four-year-old daughter, from whom he was briefly separated due to a powerful earthquake.

On the 19th (local time), foreign media including CNN in the United States reported the dramatic reunion story of Ahmet Ayan and his daughter Gada Ayan, who live in southern T?rkiye.

According to reports, Ahmet's family was trapped under the rubble when the building they lived in collapsed during a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the 6th. Ahmet recalled, "When the shaking first started, I grabbed my daughter, and the whole family started running. Then the building collapsed on top of us."

On the afternoon of the 8th (local time), rescue teams and citizens are conducting rescue operations in the city of Iskenderun, Turkey. [Image source=Yonhap News]

From beneath the collapsed building, Ahmet heard his son's cries from afar. However, he was trapped in the debris with his daughter and could not move. Eventually, Ahmet's wife and son died under the rubble. Fortunately, his daughter Gada stayed by Ahmet's side and was not seriously injured.

However, by the fourth day after the earthquake, Ahmet began to lose hope. His legs were severely injured, and the debris was piled up to his neck.

But Gada did not let her father give up. She encouraged him, saying, "Dad, don't cry. The rescue team will come to save us."

Gada then said, "Let's watch the light coming from somewhere," and at that moment, the father and daughter heard voices. Miraculously, the rescue team found them and removed the debris.

Gada, who was rescued first, fortunately had only minor abrasions. Thirty minutes later, Ahmet was rescued and immediately transported to the hospital due to his injuries, while Gada was placed under the care of a welfare agency during his treatment.

However, in the chaotic situation, Ahmet did not know which agency had taken his daughter. He posted a photo of her on social media, appealing, "Please help me find my daughter." Fortunately, his relatives found out where she was, and the father and daughter were able to reunite dramatically.

In the released reunion video, Ahmet is seen sitting in a room waiting for his daughter. When she opens the door and enters, he bursts into tears. They hugged each other and cried.

Ahmet said, "Gada saved me," and "Gada is my hero." He added, "We have each other to love and care for. That alone is enough to be grateful for," comforting himself over the loss of his wife and son.

Meanwhile, Yunus Sezer, head of T?rkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), announced that as of the 19th, the earthquake death toll in T?rkiye reached 40,689. The death toll reported by the Syrian government and rebel forces has remained at 5,814 for several days. Accordingly, the total estimated death toll combining T?rkiye and Syria is 46,503.