Nigerian Survivor Of Turkey Earthquake Recounts Incident As Death Toll Hits 3,381

A Turkey-based Nigerian, identified as Emmanuel Olaitan Johnson, has recounted how his family survived the earthquake that killed thousands of people in Turkey on Monday.

This publication learnt that the death toll following the devastating earthquake which occurred in the Syrian-Turkish border region has risen to 3,381.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, (AFAD) stated that more than 20,000 people were injured.

In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Johnson said he sensed danger when he noticed the shaking in his building wall.

He said he grabbed his wife, children, and documents before dashing out of the house after seeing a crack in the wall.

Johnson further stated that the incident began around 4:17 am in the morning leaving many people homeless as some sheltered in sports centers and museums with strong buildings.

He said: “I was in my building and I noticed it was shaking but I wasn’t perturbed at first. But when I saw a crack in the wall, I grabbed my wife and children and ran out of the house.

“As I speak to you, I and my family are now homeless.

“While I was using my building’s staircase, I almost lost my footing while climbing because of the earthquake’s magnitude and how the building was shaking.

“Before my house broke down, I ran inside twice to pick shoes for myself, wife and children and also pick up our documents.

“We are dressed in singlets and boxers and my children were walking in the snow with barefoot.”