Rescuers save trapped dog 23 days after Turkey earthquakes
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Sulaiman
- . March 2, 2023
- . Update: March 3, 2023 3:49 pm
Rescue workers from a local municipality in central Turkey pulled Aleks the dog alive from a collapsed building in the southern part of the country three weeks after last month’s devastating earthquakes, local media reported on Thursday.
In a video from the privately-owned DHA news agency, rescue personnel could be seen reaching between two large concrete slabs and calling to the trapped animal. One rescuer could be heard saying “Is he coming?” while crouching inside a small hollow in the rubble.
Images then showed the rescue workers embracing the dog and offering him water. The canine also appeared to be alert and in good health.
Just like every other animal rescue story, this stunning save is also a balm for a country struggling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest natural disasters in its post-Ottoman history.
The combined death toll from the couple of tremors that hit Turkey and neighbouring Syria on February 6 early morning has already crossed 50,000, with the majority of casualties in Turkey. The figure is expected to rise further as tens of thousands of buildings have collapsed or been severely damaged and scores of people are still unaccounted for.
Read | WHO chief enters Syria for first time since earthquake
“Every living thing matters to us, human beings or animals,” the DHA agency cited a local as saying after the miracle rescue. Aleks was delivered to Haytap, an animal protection association in Antakya, one of the cities flattened by the disaster.
Haytap has saved hundreds of trapped dogs, rabbits, cows, and even birds from the debris of collapsed buildings, after receiving calls from distressed owners or neighbours. Vets are providing care and treatment for the wounded animals in the organisation’s tents.
