Tragedy Strikes Turkey as Earthquakes Claim 19,000 Lives and Leave Thousands Homeless

A tragic scene unfolded in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaras on Wednesday, as the body of a 4-year-old girl wrapped in a pink blanket was brought out from the wreckage of a building. Elsewhere, the body of a Syrian refugee in his 40s was dug out from the debris.

The earthquakes earlier this week have claimed the lives of over 19,000 people, leaving many in fear of another quake and choosing to stay out in the open, braving the sub-zero temperatures. Thousands spent a freezing Wednesday night amid the debris in streets of Adiyaman, huddled around small fires and with little shelter.

Rescuers were digging down from the top of collapsed buildings in an attempt to reach people thought to be alive. One man burst into an aid organization center and demanded loudly that officials to rescue his family.

Anger is growing in Turkey over the government’s response to the earthquakes, as some grieve silently and others shout their misery as the quakes continue to claim more victims. Aid organizations are working to provide relief to those affected, but the situation remains dire.