Search and rescue operations were emotionally painful in quake-hit Türkiye: Albanian team

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - An Albanian search and rescue team expressed how emotionally painful it was as they took part in relief operations in Türkiye, which was hit by twin earthquakes on Feb. 6.

The 10-member volunteer team arrived in Türkiye to participate in search and rescue efforts in the city of Malatya until Feb. 15.

Nebi Mucay, the leader of the team, said they were very emotional, especially when they found a dead father and son hugging each other under the rubble.

“The most touching event -- not only for me, but for all the team members -- was the eternal embrace of the father and son under the rubble. It was very painful for everyone. First, we saw the child's hand, and as we continued to dig slowly, the child's father's body was also discovered. Just like daily care from a father towards his child with love in life. We witnessed this endless embrace,'' said Mucay.

He added that they felt so connected and shared the pain that the victims were like their family members.

"Honestly, it's like he's part of our family. It was really painful,'' said Mucay.

Another moment when the team got emotional was when they found a photo of a newly married couple, he said.

''When I saw a picture of the newly married couple, it hit my heart, and at that moment, I thought that life was sacred and temporary. Seeing that happiness, that smile mixed into the rubble, the stones in that picture, that life is precious. It makes me think. That picture is etched in my memory, I feel like it's in my heart,'' said Mucay.

Another volunteer, Skelzen Satri, said they were deeply touched when they saw a father wrap his son with his hands to protect him while he was being pulled from the rubble.

He added that they started their work by praying to God to save lives.

"I was very excited to be able to reach the place where we are going to carry out search and rescue operations as soon as possible and to be able to extract the living from the rubble."

Bujar Rapo said they alluded to the famous phrase "plant a tree, give life" in the earthquake zone, saying: "We can save a life by removing a stone."

''I will never forget an earthquake survivor who desperately called his brother under the rubble on the phone. Unfortunately, his lifeless body was found later,'' said Rapo.

A team of 73 medical personnel and search and rescue specialists affiliated with the Albanian Ministry of Defense and the National Civil Protection Agency took part in the relief operations in southern Türkiye.

Türkiye issued a level 4 alert, calling for international aid.

More than 249,000 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

More than 9,000 international search and rescue teams have participated in the post-quake operations.

Around 100 countries have offered assistance so far, with many having sent rescue teams.

At least 41,156 people were killed and 105,505 injured by the two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, officials said Monday in the latest figures from the natural disaster.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa and Elazig.

More than 13 million people have been affected by the devastating quakes.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in less than 10 hours.