Rescue workers and civilians search for survivors under the rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Credit: Adem Altan/AFP)
BEIRUT — A Lebanese man and his son were found alive on Tuesday under the rubble of their house in Antakya, southern Turkey, an area hit hard by Monday's deadly earthquake, Lebanese ambassador to Turkey Ghassan Moallem told L'Orient-Le Jour.
"Mohammad Chamma and his son were found alive under the rubble of their house. They have been taken to hospital to stabilize their health," Moallem said.
The ambassador previously said that four people were under the rubble of the house, including Chamma, but had not counted his son among them.
Three other Lebanese citizens remain trapped beneath the collapsed Ozcan Hotel in Antakya, he said. "Rescuers are on the spot and searching through the rubble."
Some Lebanese media reported that Suzanne Chamma, who is believed to be the wife of Mohammad Chamma, had died, but Muallem said the reported death "had not been confirmed by Turkish authorities."
More than 5,000 deaths have been counted across Turkey and Syria according to the latest figures, which may increase. Among them were at least five Lebanese citizens.
The first foreign rescue teams, including from France and Qatar, are due to arrive in Syria and Turkey on Tuesday.
Lebanese rescue workers have also been sent to these two countries to assist local teams.
The Lebanese Army announced on Tuesday that it was sending 15 members of the engineering regiment to Syria to participate in search and rescue operations. The Lebanese Red Cross has also sent a team of rescue workers to Syria.
On Monday, Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said that Lebanon had sent a team of about 30 rescue workers to Turkey.