In an extraordinary tale of survival, a British couple feared dead in the aftermath of Turkey's catastrophic earthquake have been found alive after being trapped under rubble for 54 agonising hours.
John and Joan Chapman, both in their 70s, were visiting family in Antakya when the 7.8-magnitude quake struck on Monday. Their family had given up hope after days without contact, believing they had perished in the disaster that has claimed over 11,000 lives across Turkey and Syria.
The Moment of Hope
Their daughter, Jessica Chapman, described the emotional rollercoaster: "We'd prepared ourselves for the worst. Then we got that unbelievable call - they'd been found alive! The relief was overwhelming."
Rescue workers discovered the couple in a pocket of space beneath their collapsed apartment building, protected by a sturdy table that had created a life-saving void.
Against All Odds
Medical teams reported both were suffering from dehydration and minor injuries but were in stable condition. "Their survival after so long is nothing short of miraculous," said Dr. Emre Öztürk, who treated the couple at a field hospital.
The Chapmans' story has become a beacon of hope amidst the devastation, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors against diminishing odds.
Family's Emotional Journey
Jessica recounted the family's anguish: "Those 54 hours were the longest of our lives. We'd seen the devastation on TV and assumed..." Her voice broke as she described the moment they learned of their parents' rescue.
The couple are now recovering in hospital, with family members flying out to be by their side. Their remarkable survival serves as a testament to human resilience in the face of nature's fury.
