Turkish-Iranian origin actor Rayya Labib mourns the dead in Turkey, Syria earthquake as death toll expected to reach 10k

MUMBAI: Mumbai-based, Assam-born actor Rayya Labib who is of Turkish-Iranian origin today issued a statement saying she was deeply pained at the loss of life in Turkey and Syria and extended her heartfelt condolences to the people of the two nations, even as India sent plane-loads of relief material, medicines and other aid.

According to media reports, rescuers in Turkey and Syria battled frigid cold on Tuesday in a race against time to find survivors under buildings flattened by the earthquake that killed more than 6,200 people.

“My ancestors were of Turkish and Iranian origin, though I was born and brought up in Assam. Which means, I have relatives across generations in Turkey. My father was in touch with some of them, though we have lost touch now. My heart goes out to the people of Turkey in these trying times,” Rayya said in her statement.

More deaths are expected as bodies are pulled out of the wreckage and debris and an unofficial source pegged the number of dead victims could rise to even 10,000.

Tremors that inflicted more suffering on a border area, already plagued by conflict, left people on the streets, who resorted to burning debris to try to stay warm in the biting cold as international aid began to arrive.

Survivors who managed to escape the natural disaster said they thought it was the Apocalypse or the end of the world.

Dozens of nations pledged aid after the 7.8-magnitude quake, which hit as people were still sleeping and amid freezing weather that has hampered emergency efforts in locales already affected by strife and war.