REYHANLI, TURKEY - Sinar Harian and Syria Care Representatives in the country are continuing their mission channelling the Sinar Harian x Syria Care #BantuanBencana funds towards earthquake victims despite a recent traumatic experience when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday.
Syria Care general manager Muaz Abd Muein said the incident continued to haunt them as there were still aftershocks being felt in the city.
Turkey Disaster and Emergency Management (Afad) stated that 32 quakes were recorded to date.
"Due to the earthquake on Monday and the subsequent aftershocks, the 11 mission personnel were no longer confident in staying at our accommodation on the third floor of the five storey building.
"It has been two nights that we have slept among locals at the shelter here placing almost 200 individuals,” Muaz said to Sinar.
Afad on Monday reported two earthquakes in the Hatay territory in Southern Turkey on Monday, two weeks after the strong earthquake had hit the Eastern region bordering Syria.
Afad stated the first earthquake had occurred around 8.04pm local time (1704GMT) in the Defne district in Hatay measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale while the other at magnitude 5.8 occurred three minutes later at Samandag territory in Hatay.
The first earthquake occurred at a depth of 16.7 kilometres (km) while the second occurred at a depth of 7km.
Both quakes were felt in the surrounding areas as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Turkey vice president Fuat Oktay urged residents to stay away from buildings that were damaged while authorities surveyed the affected areas.
The country’s home minister said at least three were dead with one in each district of Antakya, Defne and Samandag while 213 others were injured in the earthquake.
A citizen Mohammad Muhsin, 23, said his family stayed in the multipurpose hall that was made into a temporary shelter for 12 days after the strong earthquake that sacrificed over 40,000 lives.
He said his family returned to stay in the hall after facing the earthquake on Monday.
"Even though it was not as strong as the one on Feb 6, the earthquake still brings fear and the residents here were still traumatised.
"We might have to remain here for a week,” he said.
Sinar with Syria Care and Task Emergency Medical Service (Tems) were currently in Turkey for a mission to channel aid for victims of the earthquake including those in Syria.
Contributions for the Sinar Karangkraf x Syria Care #BantuanBencana fund can be made through the website https://info.sinarharian.com.my/tabung-bantuanbencana-sinar-karangkraf-x-syria-care/