Friday. 29.03.2024
COLLAPSED BUILDINGS

Turkey earthquake rescue efforts come to an end, at least 114 dead

At least 6,600 people are currently being housed in tents in Turkey's third largest city where as many as 180 buildings were either damaged or entirely collapsed.

HANDOUT - 03 November 2020, Turkey, Izmir: A handout image provided by the Turkish Search and Rescue agency AFAD shows Ayda Gezgin being pulled out rubble of a collapsed building 91 hours after an earthquake rocking Izmir. Photo: -/AFAD/dpa
The 3-year-old girl Ayda Gezgin being pulled out rubble of a collapsed building 91 hours after the earthquake. Photo: AFAD/dpa.

Turkish rescue workers have ended their efforts to find survivors as hopes faded five days after a deadly earthquake struck the country's western coastline, killing at least 114 people.

Teams have removed almost all the debris, with the help of around 8,000 workers, Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum told reporters in Izmir, where 107 people were rescued.

Four of those who were wounded are still in critical condition, Kurum said, acknowledging the suffering of all involved. "God willing, we will heal the wounds of our brothers and sisters in Izmir."

The minister said work rebuilding homes for those affected would begin shortly, and that according to plans, new apartments should be completed within a year.

He said that work was under way to provide temporary shelter in some 1,000 containers.

At least 6,600 people are currently being housed in tents in Turkey's third largest city where as many as 180 buildings were either damaged or entirely collapsed, Kurum said.

An earthquake centred in the Aegean Sea hit both Turkey and Greece on Friday.

3-year-old rescued

The rescue of a 3-year-old girl on Tuesday, 91 hours after the disaster struck, brought joy to despondent rescuers who had been combing the rubble of several multi-storey buildings.

The child, Ayda Gezgin, is doing well in hospital, Kurum said.

However there was sorrow later on Tuesday after the death of her mother Fidan Gezgin, who was also trapped.

The mourning nation also drew solace from other rescues, with another 3-year-old girl pulled from the rubble on Monday.

Turkey is home to several major seismic fault lines and has suffered devastating earthquakes in the past.

Turkey earthquake rescue efforts come to an end, at least 114 dead