From rescue operations in Turkey (Archyde.com)
Turkey earthquake
A “faint sound under the rubble”… Perhaps this is the greatest joy ever experienced by the rescue workers in the ten affected Turkish regions during the 11 days that have passed so far since the double earthquake that hit the south of the country, as well as the north of Syria at the dawn of the sixth of last February, harvesting more 41,000 dead.
The spotlight was shed during that disaster on the “miners” who came to support the search and rescue teams, due to their extensive experience working in tunnels and underground!
Many of these workers recounted how they were digging for survivors in collapsed buildings, revealing that hearing the voices of people under the rubble was very exhilarating. However, they made it clear at the same time that they were afraid that they would not reach any stuck person in time to save him.
No greater joy
In this context, 37-year-old Cemil Didioglu stressed that there is no greater joy than hearing the voice of one of the survivors. “I can’t explain this,” he said. “There is no greater happiness than taking this person out and handing him over to his family,” according to Archyde.com
As for the most difficult moments, it is embodied in the anxiety that the trapped people can be removed quickly and without further injuries, especially since the survivors are often found inside small gaps and under tons of crushed concrete.
Rescue operations in Turkey (Archyde.com)
“It is our most difficult moment because we want to get them out as quickly as possible,” said Musab Basan, 39.
He also added, “Sometimes we meet the families of the survivors the next day or they see us at work, they hug us and thank us… The people’s gratitude to us is our strongest moment, it gives us extra strength and makes us dedicated in our efforts.”
It is noteworthy that many miners had arrived during the first days of the earthquake in Hatay province, which was badly damaged. And they made tremendous efforts, which were documented by the cameras, following they worked day and night with little sleep, along with the rescue workers.
But the amount of appreciation and welcome that the survivors’ families showered them with eased the tragedy and exhaustion they suffered.