Turkey Earthquake: Death Toll Rising, Two-Week-Old Baby Saved
The death toll in the earthquake that hit Turkey Sunday has risen to 366, with as many people still trapped beneath the rubble.
Over 1300 people have been wounded and over 2500 buildings have been eradicated. Rescue workers have been using shovels and heavy machinery to locate people stuck under debris, while battling near-freezing temperatures.
Rescue teams worked overnight looking for survivors. Upwards of 3,000 rescue workers have been assigned to the region, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu.
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A two-week-old baby was pulled alive from the wreckage of an apartment building along with her mother Tuesday. The mother was pinned next to a sofa.
The 7.2 quake struck Turkey Sunday. The worst of the damage took place in Ercis, a city in eastern Turkey, according to officials.
The earthquake shut down electricity and water in certain parts of the country. Over 100 aftershocks have hit the area since, one with a magnitude of 6.1.
Citizens of Ercis are still trying to cope with the disaster.
"We did not understand what was going on, the buildings around us, the coffee house all went down so quickly," said 42-year-old Abubekir Acar.
"For a while, we could not see anything – everything was covered in dust. Then, we heard screams and pulled out anyone we could reach," he said.
Days later, some in the area are still without electricity or water.
"The aid is coming in but we're not getting it. We need more police, soldiers," Baran Gungor said. "People from nearby towns and villages stop the aid trucks on the road and loot tents and stoves."
Thousands of people have spent the night outside in vehicles or tents after authorities suggested people stay away from the demolished buildings.
The Turkish government said it intended to build temporary homes and rebuild the area with better housing.
The Turkish Red Crescent sent 11,274 tents to the area and 452 tent cities have been built since the quake, according to Anadolu.
