Winnipeg family mourning loss of loved ones in Turkey after earthquake

A Winnipeg family is mourning the loss of loved ones, after they were killed by a major earthquake that caused mass destruction and death in Turkey and Syria.

The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 quake that struck Monday neared 12,000 by Wednesday evening.

It the deadliest earthquake since a magnitude 9.0 quake off the coast of Japan in March 2011 triggered a tsunami, killing nearly 20,000.

With the damage from Monday’s quake so extensive and spread so widely, experts said the window for survival was quickly closing,

In Winnipeg, families with relatives in the affected areas can do nothing but watch what’s unfolding.

That’s the situation for Nametullah Emre and his family.

“Nobody can help them. This is one of the worst feelings you could have,” said Emre.

“It’s very sad.”

---

MORE ON DEADLY EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY, SYRIA

• Hope fading as deaths in Turkey, Syria quake pass 11,000
• Race to find survivors as quake aid pours into Turkey, Syria
• Canadians scramble to reach loved ones in Turkey, Syria in wake of deadly earthquake
• Canadian Turkish communities step up to help earthquake victims

---

Four members of Emre’s extended family were killed in the Turkish city of Adiyaman, east of Kahramanmaras. He says their bodies were found under rubble.

Others are still unaccounted for.

“Many of them still, we don’t know about them,” he said. “They are still under the rubble. Lots of people are homeless, with no shelter or food.”

Some of Emre’s family survived the earthquake. His brother’s mother-in-law and her son were rescued after being trapped under rubble for eight hours.

Emre says he feels helpless and is trying to do everything he can to help. He says he is raising money and will be sending it to relief funds in Turkey to help those in need.

The Manitoba Islamic Association has started an earthquake relief fundraiser as well.

Canada so far has made a $10 million funding commitment as part of an international aid effort to help with rescue and search efforts in both Turkey and Syria.

“Unfortunately, we cannot be there, but we can do so many things here to help these people there,” said Emre.

WATCH: Winnipeg woman trying to get in contact with family after earthquake

Nearly all of Turkey is very seismically active so the country is no stranger to devastating earthquakes.

Emre was in Turkey in October 2011 when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Van, along the border with Iran. That earthquake took the lives of more than 1,000 people.

But Emre says that disaster doesn’t even remotely compare to what is happening in Turkey right now.

“Please help. This is one of the biggest disasters in our generation that we have ever seen,” he said. “The people in Turkey are in desperate need and desperate help.”

—With files from The Associated Press