On Monday, January 6th, 2023, a massive earthquake in Turkey and northwestern Syria struck destroying thousands of homes and families.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 followed by a brutal aftershock resulting in a death toll of over 22,000 people. This death toll is suspected to rise as the Syria Civil Defense line also known as the “White Helmets” scour for survivors in the piles of debris.

The Associated Press states that the ongoing death toll of the citizens of Turkey and Syria is surpassing the number of people who died in a tsunami and nuclear accident in Japan in 2011.

Members of the countries have spent the past freezing nights cuddled in rubble and attempting to keep warm in small fires caused by the destruction. According to the authorities and civilians, water and electricity are nonexistent in the entire southernmost area of Turkey. The people are fearful of another earthquake happening so they are choosing to stay out in open public areas away from any standing buildings.

As reported by NBC News, Perihan Sayar, 60, states she has lost her 10-year-old granddaughter and everything with her home. Civilians have a wave of rising anger against the government as rescue teams have been showing up late to assist survivors and injured people.

On Wednesday, Nursen Guler states that “There are no teams here, everyone is waiting for rescue teams.”