On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Gaziantep Province in southern Turkey, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. The earthquake occurred at around 4:17 a.m. local time and was felt in neighboring provinces.
The earthquake affected several areas in southern Turkey, with the death toll reaching over 31,000 and around 90,000 people injured. Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the earthquake, nurse Seyma Alakus of Inayet Topcuoglu Hospital in Gaziantep Province, acted heroically to save the lives of several children who were in the hospital at the time.
Nurse Runs To Save Children As Earthquake hits Turkey
CCTV footage from the hospital shows Alakus running towards the children’s ward as soon as she felt the earthquake, grabbing as many children as she could, and rushing them to safety. Her quick thinking and bravery have been praised by many, with people hailing her as a hero.
Past Earthquakes in Turkey
The recent earthquakes in southern Turkey highlight the ongoing need to enhance the country’s resilience to seismic activity. Turkey is situated on several active fault lines and has experienced numerous earthquakes in the past. In January 2020, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Elazig Province, killing at least 41 people and injuring over 1,500 others. Following the 2020 earthquake, the Turkish government implemented measures to improve earthquake preparedness and response. These measures included reinforcing and retrofitting buildings in high-risk areas, providing training for emergency responders, and developing early warning systems.
However, despite these measures, the recent earthquakes in southern Turkey show that there is still more work to be done to enhance earthquake resilience. Many buildings in Turkey were constructed before earthquake-resistant building codes were introduced, and retrofitting existing structures can be a costly and time-consuming process.
What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes are natural phenomena that occur when tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust shift and collide. They can cause significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and other buildings, as well as pose a serious threat to human life. In order to minimize the impacts of earthquakes, it is important for communities and governments to take steps to enhance earthquake preparedness and response.
Conclusion
The earthquakes in southern Turkey were tragic events that highlighted the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Nurse Seyma Alakus’s heroic actions in saving children during the disaster serve as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the vital role that healthcare workers play in times of crisis. It is essential for communities and governments to continue working together to enhance earthquake resilience and reduce the impacts of future disasters.