While the search and rescue efforts have ended, debris removal efforts continue. Red Crescent, AFAD and NGOs organized joint relief organizations, and wounds were tried to be healed. But some citizens, especially those living in the villages, still haven't received help.
The 5th day of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Elazig has come to an end. 41 people died, 45 people were rescued from the wreckage. Debris removal work continues. Citizens were warned that "do not enter damaged homes". However, because some people did not reach the tent, there were people who could not stand the cold at night, reaching minus 10 degrees, and entered the house and tried to warm up. Milli Gazete Reporter Furkan Erten went to many regions from Elazig's center to Gezin and Sivrice villages and met with earthquake survivors.
“WE HAVE NO CHOICE EXCEPT STAYING AT HOME”
Speaking to our newspaper, Gülçin Süzerer, who lives in the Hicret District of Elazığ, "I fled to the balcony in fear of the earthquake. Neighbors called me to go outside. Afterwards, a warning was given because the house was damaged. We couldn't get a tent. We spent the night cold on the street. It was said not to stay home, but what should we do in this cold? We are shaking from the cold on the street, then we are forced to enter the house. We have no other choice," she said.
"WE HAVE NO GOODS AFTER OUR HOME COLLAPSED"
Serhat Kurt, whose house and shop were destroyed in Gezin village, where 4 people died, is Gezin village. "This is actually a summer village, but we always live here. Fortunately, there was not much in the village. Maybe it would be worse if it happened. Our house and shop were destroyed. 4 of our neighbors passed away. We don't have a tent yet. We have to go to our relatives in Diyarbakır Ergani every day because we don't have any place to stay. Since our house was destroyed, we had no belongings left. We have no clothes, no blankets. We expect help to arrive as soon as possible," he said.
WE STAY ON STREETS DUE EARTHQUAKE
Umut Çetinkaya, who said that they had been on the street for 4 days, is now in the Culture Park. "A tent city was created here, but we couldn't find a tent. We stay on the street from the moment of the earthquake. Our house is old, we are afraid to come in as the damage has occurred. Since we are afraid of theft, we cannot leave our house. We are waiting in the cold with our children. We enter the house in the morning. We sleep with the head of the child with my wife. Earthquake is natural disaster, fate, but I wish there was an order in these aids. Thousands of people who do not reach help," he said.