Lebanese rescuers in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Feb. 7, after the deadly earthquake. (Courtesy of Maher al-Ajouz, chief of Lebanon's fire brigade)
BEIRUT — Lebanese rescuers said they managed to save a pregnant woman and her daughter on Wednesday in Turkey, two days after the massive earthquake that killed more than 11,200 people across Turkey and Syria.
Maher al-Ajouz, Lebanon's firefighter chief, told L'Orient Today on Wednesday that another family who had been stuck under a collapsed building in Turkey was also rescued Wednesday. An unspecified number of victims were pulled from under the rubble by Lebanese rescuers in the past hours, Ajouz added.
"It's very hard to give a specific number as communication with the rescuers is very hard," he said.
Several Lebanese rescue teams from the Red Cross, firefighters and army have gone to Turkey and Syria this week to help with rescue efforts.
A Lebanese rescue team saves a pregnant woman from the rubble of her building in #Turkey, on Feb. 8.
— L'Orient Today (@lorienttoday) February 8, 2023
(Video sent to @lorienttoday by Lebanese fire department head Maher al-Ajouz) pic.twitter.com/p5gbxg9uCJ
In Syria, Ali Daher, who is part of the Lebanese rescue team in coastal Latakia, told L'Orient Today that they managed to save a man in his 40s from under the rubble and pull out six bodies. He also said that their next mission would be in Jableh, south of Latakia.
Lebanese rescuers in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 7, searching for people under the rubble after Monday's deadly earthquake. (Courtesy of Maher al-Ajouz, chief of Lebanon's fire brigade)
On Monday, Lebanon announced that 15 rescuers were sent to Syria and 30 to Turkey to help the two countries deal with the aftermath of the quake.
At least six Lebanese were killed in Syria and Turkey. Three others were found alive after being pulled from under from under the rubble so far. Two more are still missing.
The quake was felt by residents in Lebanon, prompting some to flee to their cars in fear of shaky buildings. No casualties were recorded in Lebanon.
A Lebanese ministerial team is visiting Syria Wednesday to discuss the country's needs after the quake.
Additional reporting contributed by Muntasser Abdallah