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07

Feb 2023

Last Updated: 07/02/2023
Community
Community

Harrogate couple's dramatic escape from earthquake-hit Turkish city

by Vicky Carr

| 07 Feb, 2023
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sharon-and-steve-turkey

A Harrogate couple have spoken of their shock and devastation after being caught up in the earthquakes in Turkey.

Sharon Cain and her partner Steve were in Iskenderun on the Turkish coast when the first earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning.

The pair had been travelling in their motorhome since September, tracking their adventures on their Instagram account, and decided to stay for a few nights in a rented flat.

It was there that they were woken by the earthquake around 3.30am, with the "shaking, swaying and rumbling" lasting more than a minute.

Sharon said:

"You could hear people screaming outside. There was mass panic.
"You could hear doors banging with people fleeing the building. They were all huddled together because it was only three degrees and pouring with rain."


Sharon, who previously ran Harrogate agency Quest PR, said they had quickly gone to find their motorhome, which was parked just a few minutes' walk away. On the way, they saw collapsed buildings, and watched more locals sheltering under damaged buildings.


 

Fortunately, the vehicle had not been damaged, and the couple and their dog, Bracken, left the town amid the chaos.

Sharon added:

"People were panicking and driving the wrong way, trying to get out. The emergency services were trying to get through towards the centre."


Now safe, the couple said their thoughts are still with the people trapped and injured by the earthquake, and those trying to get help to them.

More than 5,000 people are now known to have died, with a second earthquake having struck close to the first later that day.

Sharon and Steve said they hoped support centres had been set up by communities to give residents proper places to shelter. They said they could not imagine how long it will take for the country to recover.

They travelled 100 miles west to safety and plan to go further towards the western end of Turkey over the coming days to visit friends. The risk of earthquakes is much lower close to its coast and the Greek islands.

However, their thoughts - and those of everyone they meet along the way - are still with the people caught up in the tragedy. Sharon said:

"The Turkish people are just beyond themselves for their own people. They're just heartbroken and devastated by the battering the country has had."
"We're just relieved to be alive, and it's not an exaggeration to say that. The building was rocking by six to nine inches. It was bad.
"It was the aftershocks too - they just kept coming. Then you're thinking, 'is that going to bring down the building that's now been damaged?'."


Sharon and Steve have been using their Instagram feed to share information about rescue efforts, including the humanitarian response by the Red Cross.

Steve added:

"We heard Britain has sent 75 specialists out to help.
"That's great, but 75 won't do one small district in one town that has been hit.
"It's the biggest ever earthquake in Turkey. It's not just the cities, it's the rural areas too.
"It's going to need all the help available."