No Hope Left as Forklifts Clear Away Debris

When no further signs of life could be found, forklifts began to clear away the debris. One hundred seventeen of the school’s 197 students were rescued from under the wreckage; 42 were found dead, and nearly 40 students are still believed to be trapped under the debris. The bodies of two teachers were found on the first day. A total of 11 female students lost their lives. The students’ bodies were taken to the hospital morgue where they were identified by their teachers. The bodies have not yet been shown to their families.

Ibrahim Balta / Bingol / TURKEY