Sinar Harian reporter recalls his traumatic experience during Turkey's recent earthquake
REYHANLI, TURKEY - The earthquake in Hatay, Turkey at 8.04pm (local time) and 1.04am Malaysian time (Tuesday) measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, a major difference compared to the 4.7 Richter scale earthquake on Friday.
Sinar Harian reporter Nurul Riduan Nor Ashaha recalls his experience of the recent earthquake
I had just returned from sending Sinar Karangkraf x Syria Care #BantuanBencana aid throughout Reyhanli in Hatay which was the central area of the earthquake.
The Hatay territory, and surrounding cities Antakaya and Kirikhan were among the worst locations affected by the recent Feb 6 earthquakes with tens of thousands of lives lost.
After my usual night routine, I noticed that the electricity had suddenly been cut off which was a rare occurrence in Turkey, and I was reminded of the signs of earthquakes from my conversations with the earthquake victims.
I remembered the earthquake victims telling us that the first signs was the sudden electricity cut before the earthquake occurred.
I was standing in the dark for five seconds after the electricity was cut, my accommodation in the city was on the third floor of a five storey building and I felt a strong quake.
I was forced to brace myself on the walls to hold myself up, but I was stumbling around in the dark.
Previously the earthquake was akin to a gentle sway, but it changed to a strong motion.
I remembered the stories of victims who were saved, who had attempted to save themselves in the dark with the walls, floors and ceilings crumbling around them A lot of thoughts were swirling in my mind at the time, I felt as if the end for me was near and whether I would be able to return to Malaysia and will I be able to meet my wife and children whom I had left behind for this humanitarian mission
What I imagined at the time was myself standing on death’s door.
11 of us were staying in the same accommodation, four were from Syria Care and six were from the Task Emergency Medical Service (Tems).
The incident on Friday gave us a useful lesson of preparing a bag containing warm clothes, additional clothes, socks, water, power bank, passport and money.
We quickly reached for the bag and left as we stumbled around.
Alhamdulillah, we managed to save ourselves and gathered in an open area.
When we were outside many residents especially women and children were crying in fear.
There were some who couldn’t bring any personal items.
The situation on the road was just complete panic, there were sounds of ambulance and police sirens headed towards the location of the scene.
After an hour at the open area, we were forced to light a bonfire to stay warm.
The Tems team who were already experienced in natural disasters such as these used garbage from the garbage cans nearby as fuel for the fire.
An hour later we, were allowed to shelter in a hall that was made into a temporary shelter for all residents.
How long would we have to remain here? There is no sure answer for this question as when th earthquake had hit on Feb 6. residents were informed that they needed to be in the temporary shelters for two weeks.
Even when we are faced with these type of situations, the aid from Malaysians for the victims in Turkey and Syria will continue to be distributed.
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/
