site.btaPictures of Devastation and Loss in Kahramanmaras, Pazarcik and Hatay

The Turkish towns of Kahramanmaras, Pazarcik and Hatay are a picture of devastation and loss after the February 6 earthquakes that struck the country and neighbouring Syria. The death toll has gone up to 5,894, nearly 35,000 are injured and many are still missing.

Rescue teams are working round-the-clock while there is still hope to find survivors under the rubble.

The journey from Adana to the nearby town of Gaziantep close to the Syrian border, which normally takes about three hours, now takes more than six hours. The highway is closed to traffic, with only heavy duty vehicles and ambulances using it. Congestion on the detour route to Gaziantep slows the trip by hours. The Gaziantep-Nurdagi road was closed late on Tuesday night.

The asphalt on the roads is cracked and creased after the tremors.

According to the latest figures, the casualties in Gaziantep are over 500 with nearly 5,000 injured. The thousand-year-old Gaziantep Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has partially collapsed.

Despite the large number of casualties, Gaziantep is much better off than several other towns, including Kahramanmaras, Pazarcik and Hatay. Water supply has been cut off to many parts of the city but there is electricity. 

Kahranamaras, Pazarcik and Hatay haven't had electricity since the quake struck.

Members of a large family from Hatay, who miraculously survived the devastation, told BTA of an apocalypse. Most of the buildings in the town have collapsed,  relatives and friends have died, there is no electricity, water or Internet connection. The entire family is sleeping in the lobby bar of a hotel, as they fear further tremours and are afraid to stay in the rooms on higher floors.

The receptionist, another hotel employee and the Hatay family all told BTA that it was safe in this part of Gaziantep. In contrast to their sense of safety, the walls and ceilings in the  hotel have cracks and there is no running water in the building.

Mineral water and wet tea towels have been provided for hotel guests.

Amidst the horror and the tragedy of loss, people are friendly, offering to help with anything and everything and even trying to smile.