Ballito rescuers continue search for Turkey earthquake survivors
Live rescues have become increasingly rare, but the team was part of a mini miracle when they helped to free two people at different locations, including an 80-year-old woman.
As the Turkey earthquake death toll steadily rises, three Ballito rescuers continue to search on in hope of finding survivors.
Paul Herbst, Bradley Hatfield and Leon Fourie of Medi Response KZN have all been deployed to the Hatay region in south-east Turkey since Wednesday last week.
They are part of a 25-strong team put together by the Gift of the Givers Foundation, who have since been bolstered by a Saps K9 unit with five sniffer dogs.
It has now been over a week since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey on February 6, with the death toll passing a combined 37 000 in Turkey and neighbouring Syria at the time of print.
Photo: Medi Response KZN.
Live rescues have become increasingly rare, but the team were part of a mini-miracle when they helped to free two people at different locations, including an 80-year-old woman, from rubble on day eight (Monday).
“Saps search and rescue K9 unit were successful in locating a live individual trapped beneath the rubble. Heavy machinery rolled into position and following a 2.5-hour dig by machine and man, the woman was freed,” said Herbst.
She was dehydrated but relatively well and her rescue provided a morale boost for the teams who have been working long hours in difficult weather conditions.
“There have been fewer rescues than we would have liked but work on the ground has been thorough. This is a time issue and we have started to prepare to enter into a recovery phase, as and when instructed to do so,” he said.
Photo: Medi Response KZN.
There is currently no timeframe on when the teams will return home, so morale boosts have to come from other rescuers and putting faith in the work.
“Generally speaking, those who respond to such incidents are geared toward doing so, which makes it easier to manage what to expect and how to adapt. We try and support each other and maintain a sense of humour where possible. Special mention should also be made of all the K9s working tirelessly.”
Per Reuters reports, some international teams have begun leaving the countries, which will soon be left to face the ongoing effects alone.
Photo: Medi Response KZN.
It is believed more than 42 000 buildings have been damaged within Turkey, with damages placed at about $84-billion.
Resources are soon expected to be reallocated to tackling the resulting homelessness, and increased sickness and infection in makeshift camps.
This aside from growing tensions between Turkish nationals and Syrian refugees.
Photo: Medi Response KZN.
The earthquake is already the deadliest natural disaster since the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and those on the ground will likely need continual aid from outside sources.
For now, if you would like to help, you can donate to the Gift of the Givers effort by visiting giftofthegivers.org.
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