Turkey

500 and Counting Dead as 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Turkey and Syria

earthquake turkey syria february 2023

Hundreds of lives have been tragically lost, and countless more injured and traumatized, after a horrific earthquake shook the land in the early morning hours on Monday, February 6 2023, near Syria’s border in south-eastern Turkey.

Government representatives from both Turkey and Syria report that the death toll has already surpassed 500, yet it is expected to continue climbing as rescue crews frantically work day and night to save those still trapped in the debris.

Devastating tremors measuring a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the area without warning while many people were still asleep in their beds, leaving behind dozens of aftershocks that can be felt throughout the region.

In response to this disaster, Turkey has declared a state of emergency across all impacted provinces. To further aid with rescue efforts, citizens are strongly encouraged to refrain from using their mobile phones so rescuers and first responders can coordinate more effectively. Millions of people spanning multiple countries including Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Israel felt the seismic waves of this devastating earthquake which originated from Gaziantep in Turkey.

The city was left unrecognizable with hundreds of buildings crumbling in its wake as a result of the powerful tremors; some structures collapsed entirely while others sustained large cracks along walls or ceilings – leaving many inhabitants homeless or injured.

It’s been reported that individuals are taking part in local relief efforts; donating food, medical supplies, and shelter for those who need it most during these difficult times. Emergency teams are also trying their best to provide psychological support for survivors who have lost family members or friends during the quake.

Here are posts as shared on official news sites online and posts on social media about the earthquake:

https://twitter.com/JohnMarkKarr/status/1622520442832519168

https://twitter.com/waheedfalaksher/status/1622508729143857152

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits for Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits For Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days

We all know how pets, for some owners, aren’t considered just as animals, but family. And we’ve heard of stories how people take care of their pets as if they were their own children. You probably do, too.

But in strange ways, did you know that pets show deep care and loyalty for their owners? This dog in Turkey is a great example of a pet’s loyalty to their owner, that even while at the hospital, the dog would stay for hours and wait for days at the hospital’s main entrance, waiting for its owner to come home.

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits For Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days
Image used for illustration purposes only

[VIDEO] Loyal Pet Dog in Turkey Waits For Sick Owner to Return Home from Hospital After 6 Days

The pet, named Boncuk – which means bead – followed her owner, Cemal Santurk, who was carried by ambulance to the hospital in Trabzon on January 14.

Since then, the dog made visits to the facility, waiting for her owner to finally come home because she probably missed him too much and was concerned about how he was doing while away.

According to Mr. Santurk’s daughter, Aynur Egeli, she would repeatedly bring Boncuk home, but she would also keep running off and returning to the hospital.

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits For Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days
Credits: DHA
“She has been waiting here at the hospital for three, four days. She runs away from home and comes here, all by herself,” she said.

One of the hospital security guards, Muhammet Akdeniz, shared: “She comes every day around 9:00 am and waits until nightfall. She doesn’t go in.”

He added that Boncuk was harmless and doesn’t bother anyone. But she just waits outside for her owner to come home.

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits For Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days
Credits: DHA
On Wednesday, January 20, Boncuk was finally reunited with her owner, Mr. Senturk, when he was pushed outside in a wheelchair for a brief meeting with his dog.

Catch the heart-warming video feature posted by The Guardian/YouTube.

Mr. Senturk shared: “She’s very used to me. And I miss her, too, constantly.”

On that same day, Mr. Senturk was also discharged from the hospital and went home with Boncuk.

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits For Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days
Credits: DHA
He said of an owner’s bond with their dog: “They bring joy, make people happy. They provide companionship just like humans and they make people happy.”

What a heartwarming reunion! Pets can be the most loyal friend any person can have. And even during these times, when there’s so much isolation happening. A pet and its owner’s true bond cannot be restricted by sickness or even distance! Do you also have loyal pets? Let us know what they’re like by leaving a comment in the section below!