DALLAS — The death toll following a 7.8 magnitude in Turkey and Syria has climbed to nearly 4,000. Rescuers are hoping to survivors as they continue to dig through flattened buildings.
Some North Texas families are desperately waiting to hear from loved ones.
“We are shocked, we can’t imagine,’’ said Ejder Kilic, who is originally from Turkey.
Kilic said he couldn’t sleep all night, knowing that his family members are among those still missing in Turkey. He's feeling helpless.
The massive earthquake hit in the early morning hours in Turkey and Syria, followed by a powerful shock.
"Our niece and cousins are under the buildings destroyed," said Kilic.
Survivors are begging for help.
"Buildings are collapsed,’’ said Kilic, as he described what he saw during a video call with his family.
With the temperatures dropping there, many fear the worst.
"It will be getting cold you know, maybe it will snow,’’ said Kilic.
His parents were forced to make a makeshift fire, taking shelter in a partial building.
"There is no power, electricity,’’ he said.
A prayer vigil has been planned in hopes of bringing some relief for families, as they wait by the phone to hear from their loved ones at the American Turkish community center in Dallas.
In addition to relief, families are hoping for some guidance.
"Do not call your family member who is under the rubble, their battery will run out," said Huseyin Peker, of the Raindrop of Dallas, a Turkish American community center.
But help is on the way.
"Buy containers, send clothes, water, anything we can do to help,’’ said Khalid Hamideh with the Islamic Association of North Texas.