Rescuers pulled two men alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Antioch late Thursday night, 261 hours after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey.

Despite illusory hopes of finding survivors, 11 days after the earthquake, rescue teams and volunteers continue their efforts in the earthquake-affected areas.

This perseverance was rewarded by the rescue of a 26-year-old and a 34-year-old man in Antioch. These are Mehmet Ali Sakiroglu and Mustafa Avchi, respectively.

Hatayin Antakya District binanın enkazından 26-year-old Mehmet Ali Shakiroglu and 34-year-old Mustafa Avci, depremin 261. saatinde sağ kızlarıldı https://t.co/h7CP5aOpVO pic.twitter.com/UzNi6ZsusS

— ANADOLU AJANSI (@anadoluajansi) February 16, 2023

This was preceded by the rescue of 12-year-old Osman Halebige, a boy who was rescued in the Ekinci district of Hatay city and taken to the hospital, Anadolu news agency reported.

Previously, 29-year-old Neslihan Kilich was also pulled alive from the ruins 258 hours after two earthquakes that wreaked havoc in Turkey and Syria.

“Thank God my sister survived. They say she was conscious, but we have not been able to see her yet,” said Yusuf Yalginoz.

Doctor Mohamed Semih Gedik, who examined the 29-year-old girl, said that the girl called her name and asked to know about the fate of her relatives. He assured her that her condition is stable.

According to the latest official estimates from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), 38,044 people have died in Turkey so far. In total, more than 44 thousand people became victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Source: APE-MPE, Anadolu.