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. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Panagia Soumela Monastery: Pilgrimage to the ancient cradle of Pontic Hellenism

Carved into Mount Melas in Trabzon, the Monastery of Panagia Soumela has stood proudly for over 1,600 years.

Memories that ‘bleed’: A visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum

The wine, the conversation with Maria and Aram, all pieces in the puzzle of my stay in Armenia’s capital had been carefully placed.

Australian Business Summit Council launch fifth issue of ‘Ekonomos’

The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted 250 business leaders, diplomats and politicians at its lavish Annual Gala Dinner.

Dora and George Hatzikiriakos’ fish and chip shop among the best on NSW South Coast

The Eurobodalla on the NSW south coast is home to some of the best fish and chip joints. "Harzikiriakos' Ocean Grill is one of them.

Two Greek beaches among Tripadvisor’s top European beaches for 2024

Greece saw two beaches included in Tripadvisor’s Best Beaches in Europe for 2024, as part of its annual Travellers’ Choice Awards.

You May Also Like

Greece rejects Turkey’s claim that Greek fighter jets ‘harassed’ research vessel

Greece has rejected the Turkish Defence Ministry's claim that its military harassed a Turkish research vessel in the Aegean Sea.

Dracopoulos family hit hard by closure of only aged care home in remote NSW town

The Dracopoulos family have been hit hard by closure of the only aged care home in the remote NSW town of Bombala.

Scoot offers return flight to Greece for Antipodes Festival’s dance competition winner

Scoot has officially announced that it will be the exclusive sponsor of the ‘Zorba ‘Til You Drop’ dance competition at the Antipodes Festival.