Daddy’s here with you: Father holds the hand of his dead 15-year-old daughter killed in Turkey-Syria quake disaster
A grief-stricken father has been pictured holding the hand of his 15-year-old daughter who was crushed to death beneath the rubble of a building in Turkey, which along with Syria has been rocked by a catastrophic earthquake disaster.
UNICEF says it fears the girl could be one among thousands of children killed in the unfolding crisis, with more than 5,200 fatalities confirmed so far in the two countries. Scores more are trapped in the ruins of their demolished homes.
Two major quakes struck the region yesterday, followed by a 5.8-magnitude quake this morning as rescue efforts to save trapped survivors continued – several of whom have sent videos and voice notes from their confines pleading for help.
Father Mesut Hancer holds the hand of his daughter, who was crushed to death when her home collapsed in Turkey. Monday’s first massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck at 4:17 am (0117 GMT), while many were still asleep in their beds
Mesut Hancer with his daughter Irmakleyla Hancer, who was killed in Monday’s earthquake. The father was pictured holding his daughter’s hand on Tuesday
In the badly hit Turkish city of Hatay, residents helplessly called out as the screams and shouts of those freezing under the rubble filled the air. Desperate to reach them in time, rescuers have been digging with their bare hands. Several videos have emerged of helpless children being pulled from the twisted wrecks of buildings.