ISTANBUL, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Scores of Turks were braving the harsh weather to make their way to the country's southeast following devastating earthquakes that have killed over 3,300 people and injured more than 20,000.
The snow-covered roads were packed with cars and trucks, some delivering urgent aid supplies and others full of people trying to get to their loved ones.
Originally from the southern province of Hatay, which was severely hit by Monday's earthquake, a man in his 70s who called himself Durmus, had headed out from Istanbul on the other end of the country.
"I am heading to the disaster area because I have relatives there ... I'm going to visit them and provide help," Durmus told Xinhua. He said he had only been able to contact some of them.
Another driver told Xinhua without giving his name that he was taking his friend from Istanbul to Hatay because the friend was worried about his daughter and son-in-law. "We finally got in touch with them and found out that they are alive," he said, "but they are now out on the street."
Omer Aslan, a truck driver, was driving a truck full of medicines from the capital Ankara to the affected areas. He told Xinhua that the roads are cold and windy, "but people from all over Türkiye are working together to help."
Two major earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude hit the southern province of Kahramanmaras Monday, devastating 10 nearby provinces.
According to the latest official figures, 3,381 people have been killed and 20,426 injured. Around-the-clock search and rescue operations continue at full speed as many remain trapped under the rubble.
Aid is constantly pouring into the earthquake region from the country's largest city, Istanbul.
Governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya announced early on Tuesday that an air bridge had been set up between Istanbul and the earthquake zone and that some 13,000 personnel and volunteers had been dispatched on 73 flights.
Yerlikaya said 42 construction machines, including dump trucks, excavators and cranes, had also been sent to the disaster area.
Meanwhile, a 100-member team from Istanbul is carrying out search and rescue work in Hatay province, and over 300 more personnel are expected to arrive in Hatay later on Tuesday. ■
