Volunteers save over 300 animal lives in quake-hit Hatay province, Türkiye

By Aykut Karadag and Beyza Binnur Donmez

HATAY, Türkiye (AA) - As search and rescue efforts continue in southern Türkiye after last week's deadly earthquakes, disaster teams have saved numerous animals from under the debris.

In Hatay, one of the 10 provinces hit hard by the twin quakes, volunteers have saved more than 300 animals trapped under collapsed buildings, besides thousands of human survivors in the disaster region.

Ibrahim Gocer, the senior member of the Paw Protectors Animal Protection Association in the city, told Anadolu that despite having lost many of his relatives in Hatay, he put aside his personal pain and rushed to the aid of earthquake victims, including the animals stuck in the wreckage.

"I'm here with my team. We're doing our best to save any life. I've lost many people, from my relatives to my closest friends, but we have to stand up," Gocer said.

"We need to stay vigorous. These (animals') lives are important, too," he underscored.

Rescuers are bringing the animals they rescue to a shelter in the region where they cared for and their wounds are treated if they have any.

Ayse Taskiran, who heads the association, said they were working to save the lives of non-human quake victims based on the reports they received on their possible location.

"We've touched more than 300 lives so far and we've rescued many of our dear friends, whether from under the rubble or inside the buildings," Taskiran said, praising the work of her group of 200.

"There is a great struggle, a great loss here. A great loss for all living things. But we still continue to work," she stressed.

Over 35,400 people were killed and more than 81,000 others injured in two powerful earthquake that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, according to the country's disaster agency AFAD.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces in Türkiye, and also affected several countries in the region.