After a 7.8 magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc on Syria and Turkey on Monday, the death toll continues to rise three days later. Officials believe that more than 11,000 people have died as rescuers continue to uncover casualties. Though many perished in the quake, there have also been miracles that many people simply cannot believe.
Among the survivors is a newborn Syrian baby rescued from the rubble with her umbilical cord still attached to her deceased mother. According to the Associated Press, the infant's mother reportedly gave birth to the child while buried beneath the quake's wreckage. The infant was the sole survivor of a family killed in the earthquake.
The quake hit during the early morning hours Monday.
The Washington Post reported that the deadly earthquake struck at 4:17 a.m. local time near Nurdagi, in Turkey's Gaziantep Province. The quake caused massive destruction in Turkey and neighboring Syria, with residents feeling the effects as far as Cyprus and Lebanon.
The 7.8 magnitude quake was powerful and caused a tremendous amount of destruction. Aftershocks, more minor tremors in the same area following the main earthquake, were felt into the afternoon, according to the news outlet.
Rescuers found the infant hours after the earthquake.
Rescuers found the infant more than 10 hours after the quake, according to AP. The newborn's umbilical cord was still attached to her deceased mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya. A family member told AP that the infant is the only surviving member of her immediate family, who lived in an apartment building in Jinderis that collapsed.
The infant was discovered in front of her mother's legs, Dr. Hani Maarouf told the noutlet. "After the dust and rocks were removed the girl was found alive," he said.
Experts believe the infant was born after the earthquake took place.
Because of the infant's body temperature at the time of her discovery, Maarouf believes that the baby was born after the quake and that her mother was conscious at the time of delivery. He thinks she was born several hours before rescuers discovered her because her body temperature had dropped.
The infant was discovered just in time to save her. "Had the girl been left for an hour more, she would have died," he said.
Although she was born amid a catastrophe, the baby appears healthy.
Maarouf explained that the infant was average weight for a newborn and appeared to have been born full term. She does have physical markings that doctors are keeping a close eye on.
"Our only concern is the bruise on her back, and we have to see whether there is any problem with her spinal cord," he said.
The baby has been moving her arms and legs normally, which is a positive sign. Doctors are monitoring the newborn at a nearby hospital.
The infant is among several dramatic rescues.
The devastating earthquake has left thousands dead and millions displaced, but there have been lucky survivors among the wreckage. The White Helmets, Syria's Civil Defense, aids Syrians in times of natural disaster and attack. The group’s heroic work has saved more than 120,000, according to the organization's Twitter account. Several videos of The White Helmets’ rescue efforts in Syria have been shared on social media.
