By John Ikani
Rescue workers in Southern Turkey have rescued a dog from a collapsed building, three weeks after an earthquake struck the region.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the region had already claimed the lives of over 50,000 people, making the survival of any living creature a small but meaningful victory.
The team from a Turkish municipality, worked tirelessly to save the dog, whom they named Aleks, and delivered him to Haytap, an animal protection association in the city of Antakya.
A heartwarming video from DHA News Agency, showed the rescue workers reaching between two large concrete slabs, calling out to the trapped canine.
One rescuer crouched inside a small hollow in the debris and asked, “Is he coming?” while another called to Aleks, “Come, my dear. Well done, my son.”
The rescuers were able to embrace the dog, who appeared to be alert and in good health, and offered him water.
Haytap has been providing care and treatment for various animals rescued from the rubble in Antakya, including dogs, rabbits, cows, and birds.
Their vets are working tirelessly to ensure the wounded animals receive the care they need.
The survival of Aleks and other animals rescued from the earthquake’s aftermath has brought some comfort to a nation still reeling from the disaster.
Turkish officials estimate the death toll from the earthquake, as well as a second 7.5-magnitude temblor that struck just nine hours later, to be over 45,000 people in Turkey alone.
In northern Syria, almost 6,000 people have been confirmed dead, according to government and aid workers in the region.
The toll may be higher, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reporting a figure closer to 7,000, though, official agencies haven’t updated their figures in several days.
