Dutch rescue workers rescue 8-year-old Ibrahim from under the rubble

A rescue team uses heavy equipment to sift through debris in Aleppo, Syria. Photo: AFP

Dutch rescuers in Turkey helped rescue an 8-year-old boy who had been trapped under rubble for 106 hours after Monday’s devastating earthquake.

A boy named Ibrahim was conscious and taken to hospital by ambulance. USAR Said.

This “very special news”… has given us the energy to continue our efforts, said Arjen Littooij in a short video message.

The Netherlands sent a team of 65 people and eight search and rescue dogs to the area on Monday as soon as the extent of the quake’s damage became clear. The death toll is now approaching 23,000.

Early on Friday, a second flight of doctors, nurses and construction workers left the Netherlands for the disaster area on a flight provided by Corendon, a travel company with Turkish roots.

The flight was an initiative of Vijfhuisen’s transport company, broadcaster NOS reported.

border

Meanwhile, talks with Turkey are underway to temporarily open the border with Syria to facilitate relief efforts after Monday’s earthquake, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a news conference on Friday. rice field.

There are currently only one-way streets, making it difficult to reach the affected areas of Syria.

“We’re trying to do our part,” Rutte said. “We have a great relationship with President Erdogan’s government and, of course, we are trying to make the most of it.”