Rescue efforts continue in Turkey as Greece sends extra search team

·

Rescue efforts are continuing in Turkey and Syria after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the countries on Monday.

According to ABC News, the death toll from the earthquake has climbed past 11,500, making it the deadliest seismic event in more than a decade. 

Tens of thousands of people remain missing in the rubble of buildings which toppled during the earthquake. Four Australians also remain unaccounted for, Nine News has reported.

In response, Greece sent a second special disaster management team (EMAK) to the earthquake-stricken Turkish city of Hatay on Wednesday.

This second team comprises 15 rescuers, a trained dog, three paramedics and a Fire Brigade engineer officer.

Including the first EMAK team already operating in south-eastern Turkey, the Greek mission now totals 36 rescuers, 8 doctors and paramedics, 2 civil engineer officers and 3 rescue canines.

The Australian government has also moved to urgently provide humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria. Australia has announced an initial $10 million in aid, as well as a search and rescue team of up to 72 personnel to Turkey to assist local authorities.

Young woman rescued by Greek team after six hour effort:

On Wednesday, the Greek EMAK team already in Turkey rescued a young woman, Irin, from the ruins of a building in Hatay.

Greek rescuers in Turkey.

According to AMNA.gr, the team members originally thought the calls for help were coming from a young boy trapped under his dead mother. The boy was found dead, and the young woman was further in the rubble, trapped by a concrete block.

The rescue operation had to be briefly interrupted when two aftershocks occurred. 

Irin’s rescue took over six hours, with the rescue members holding her hand to reassure her. She was picked up by an ambulance. 

Greek rescuers have so far freed a 6-year-old girl from the rubble of her home in the city of Iskenderun on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they also pulled out a surviving 15-year-old boy from the rubble. 

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Former Chania MP and Eleftherios Venizelos heir dies at 102

Former MP for Chania Eleftherios Venizelos, the last surviving grandson of statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, has died at the age of 102.

Greek Air Force colonel jailed pending trial over China spy claims

A 54-year-old Hellenic Air Force colonel has been remanded in custody and charged with selling classified military information to China following an eight-and-a-half-hour interrogation...

Cyprus Community of NSW supports the Steve Waugh Foundation

The Cyprus Community of NSW has announced its support for the work of the Steve Waugh Foundation at a supper club fundraiser.

Greek Festival of Sydney returns in 2026 with season of culture and conversation

The Greek Festival of Sydney is back with a stacked program for 2026, bringing you the best in Greek arts, ideas and celebrations.

Sydney hosts world’s first celebration of International Greek Language Day

Sydney made global history on Monday, February 9, becoming the first city in the world to officially celebrate World Greek Language Day.

You May Also Like

Community races to help bring Greek Australian home after brutal attack in Greece

Over $75,000 has been raised to help bring home a Greek Australian man brutally attacked on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Sam Konstas dismissed early as NSW fights back in Sheffield Shield

Sam Konstas, fresh off his Test debut, struggled in the Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland at the Gabba.

Kids Taverna Night fundraiser to be held in support of GOCNSW schools

The GOCNSW is set to host a Kids Taverna Night to raise funds in support of its Greek Afternoon and Saturday schools.