On February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Turkey, causing buildings to collapse and leaving people trapped under the rubble. Abdullah Gümüştoka, a 15-year-old boy, was one of those people. He was stuck on the second floor of a building in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş for 60 hours before being rescued by emergency crews.
The Rescue Mission
After 60 hours of being trapped under the rubble, a rescue team was finally able to reach Abdullah Gümüştoka. They worked for six hours to free him from the wreckage, using an excavator to remove debris and create a hole through which they could talk to him and provide him with water and air. Gümüştoka was able to talk to his mother and uncle through the hole, which was big enough to pass food and water through.
In the end, the rescue mission was a success, and Gümüştoka was able to emerge from the rubble alive. He was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, but his condition is reported to be stable.
The Emotional Reunion
Gümüştoka’s rescue was an emotional moment for everyone involved. His mother, who had been waiting outside the building for days, burst into tears when she heard that her son was alive. “I love you so much,” Gümüştoka told his mother through the hole. “The outside is colder,” he added, referring to the harsh conditions he had endured while trapped under the rubble.
The story of Abdullah Gümüştoka’s rescue is just one of many to come out of the earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6th. The earthquake caused widespread damage and claimed the lives of dozens of people, leaving many more injured and homeless. But amid the tragedy, there are also stories of hope and resilience, as people come together to help each other and support those in need.
Lessons Learned
The earthquake in Kahramanmaraş serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for strong, resilient infrastructure. Turkey is located in an earthquake-prone region, and earthquakes are a constant threat. It is crucial that buildings and other infrastructure are built to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Moreover, the earthquake underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and response. The swift action of emergency crews and the coordinated efforts of volunteers and other responders played a critical role in the rescue of Abdullah Gümüştoka and other survivors. The response to the earthquake highlights the importance of having well-trained emergency crews and an effective disaster response plan in place.
Conclusion
Abdullah Gümüştoka’s rescue is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. It is a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness, emergency response, and the need to come together in times of crisis. As Turkey continues to recover from the earthquake, it is essential that the lessons learned from this disaster are heeded, and steps are taken to build a safer, more resilient future for all.