Turkish Cypriot Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that rescue efforts have been ongoing throughout the night at the Isias Hotel in Adıyaman, where the Gazimağusa Turk Maarif College group was staying. He noted that 10 dead bodies were pulled out of the rubble but added that the Turkish Cypriot group was not among any of the dead bodies. Rescuers teams are stepping up efforts in the search for survivors, Çavuşoğlu announced.
Speaking to BRT, Minister Çavuşoğlu warned that the death toll may rise in Adıyaman adding that rescuers are battling against bad weather conditions.
Explaining that roads were closed due to snow, Çavuşoğlu said that listening devices and tools belonging to the Civil Defense could not reach the region last night, but added that today was better as vehicles had started to arrive at the scene of the disaster.
Stating that very sensitive work was being carried out at Isias Hotel, Çavuşoğlu said “The rubble is slowly being removed it is done very slowly to protect the trapped people. Very sensitive work is being carried out to save as many children as possible,” Çavuşoğlu said.
Çavuşoğlu also noted that they had spent the night at the scene covered with blankets.
