Miracle Baby Found Alive in Devastating Syrian Earthquake

A newborn baby girl is miraculously alive after surviving under the debris of a five-story apartment building caused by the devastating Syria earthquakes on Monday morning.

A strong earthquake hit the southern Turkey area, which is in proximity to the Syrian border. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it is a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and by far the strongest to strike the region after over 100 years.

According to Al Jazeera, a report said that the baby still has her umbilical cord attached to her mother. Sadly, the mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya, didn’t survive. The newborn baby was the only one to survive in their family. 

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A relative of the family, Khalil al-Suwadi, said, “We heard a voice while we were digging. We cleared the dust and found the baby with the umbilical cord [intact], so we cut it, and my cousin took her to the hospital.”

In addition, local activists also reported that the mother gave birth under the debris. Unfortunately, she died before rescuers arrived. One female neighbor detached the baby’s cord before rushing her to a children’s hospital.

Dr. Hani Maarouf, the newborn baby’s attending physician, said the baby was in an incubator. He said she had bruises and her temperature had dropped to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but she is stable now.

Furthermore, a UNICEF report confirmed that the earthquake struck at 4:00 am Turkey local time. It said it hit “when many children and families were asleep at home.”

A baby girl has been reportedly rescued from the rubble of her home in northern Syria following the massive earthquake. Her umbilical cord was still attached to her mother when she was found, a relative told AFP. https://t.co/mMEmoEsmGH pic.twitter.com/YgmGxNHaU4

— CNN (@CNN) February 7, 2023

Syrian Earthquake Death Toll

The New York Times reported that as of Tuesday, death tolls amount to 6,200 people. In addition, WHO warned that the total number of casualties might be over 20,000.

Moreover, 5,775 buildings collapsed due to the earthquake. While in Syria, 1,731 people, died according to the Health Ministry. 

The freezing weather greatly affects rescue operations. Officials warned that the coldness will decrease the possibility of having more survivors as they cope with the cold while waiting for rescuers.

Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub, a regional emergency director o,f the WHO, said, “The later people are found under the rubble, the worse the chances for survival get.” 

A report from PEOPLE said that officials cited how dire is the current situation in Syria. Adelheid Marschang, WHO Senior Emergency Officer, said, “All over Syria, the needs are highest after nearly 12 years of protracted, complex crisis, while humanitarian funding continues to decline.”

Moreovecouldn’tt able to receive direct help from other countries due to border limits from its government. The only crossing the UN approved for humanitarian aid is currently inaccessible due to damage. 

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