Syrians In Turkey Return Home After Earthquake

Hundreds of Syrians living in Turkey have returned to the war-torn country after last week’s devastating earthquake.

The Turkish government has allowed Syrians with ID cards from the quake-hit Turkish provinces to leave for up to six months.

The rule change has led to hundreds queuing for hours at border crossings.

Almost four million Syrians have settled in Turkey since civil war broke out in their home country 12 years ago.

Some survivors of last week’s earthquake are making the trip to the crossings in an attempt to reunite with family members back in Syria, some of whom they have not seen for years.

Many of those queueing have travelled with their families and large amounts of luggage, waiting for security personnel to allow them forward for processing.

About 1,500 Syrians living in Turkey are thought to have died in the earthquake.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts are continuing in Turkey. On Friday, two more people were pulled alive from the rubble in the city of Antakya some 11 days on from the earthquake.

One of the survivors, Mustafa Acvi, 34, was found alive after being trapped for 261 hours. While being carried on a stretcher, he was put on a video call with his parents who showed him his new-born baby.