Subzero Temperatures and Aftershocks... Turkish Rescue Workers Also in a 'Desperate Struggle'

Local temperatures drop to minus 6 degrees
"Do not enter buildings" urged

As rescue efforts continue for victims of the T?rkiye earthquake, adverse weather conditions such as snow and rain are causing difficulties in the operations. Additionally, concerns are rising that the death toll may increase due to ongoing aftershocks.

On the 6th (local time), Turkish rescue workers are pressing their ears against the building debris to locate missing persons.
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

In the early morning of the 7th (local time), temperatures in Gaziantep, T?rkiye, dropped to a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius. Snow and rain fell in southern T?rkiye and northern Syria. Although rescue teams are doing their best to save survivors and recover victims, the severe weather is hindering their efforts. They must dig through debris with their bare hands to find survivors, but due to worsening weather, rescue workers are conducting searches relying on flashlights in the pitch darkness.

The Middle Eastern news outlet Al Jazeera reported, "Snow and rain are falling everywhere, and it is very cold. Weather conditions and climate are making it difficult for rescue workers and residents," adding, "The situation on the ground is very challenging." Fuat Oktay, Vice President of T?rkiye, told local media, "We are trying to access the affected areas as quickly as possible," but also said, "We are facing difficulties due to very severe weather conditions."

Residents evacuating to shelters to escape the earthquake in Osmaniye, southern Turkey.
Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News

With temperatures dropping below freezing overnight, survivors remain in dangerous conditions. Concerns about aftershocks persist, and with many having lost their homes, people are forced to spend nights on the streets or in shelters amid ongoing winter cold waves. T?rkiye’s disaster authorities are also urging residents not to enter buildings due to fears of further collapses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.