Four Armenian Bodies Recovered from Rubble in Aleppo, One Family Missing Amid Terrifying Conditions

In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that struck Syria this morning, casualties have also been reported within the Armenian community, with bodies recovered and one family's fate still unknown. This was reported to 24News by Avo Khoshafyan, chairman of the governing body of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party in Aleppo.

Khoshafyan stated that an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale was recorded at 4:20 AM, lasting for 3-4 seconds. "A building collapsed in the Aziziyah neighborhood of Aleppo, which housed two Armenian families. So far, four bodies have been retrieved, and we are unaware of the others. We do not know whether one family is safe, deceased, or has managed to leave; there is no phone contact. We need to visit churches and schools to check how many people are homeless. Hospitals have patients with minor injuries, but there are many fatalities among other nationalities," Khoshafyan said.

According to him, there are Armenian neighborhoods whose damage is still not being assessed. "The situation is terrifying, reminiscent of the Spitak earthquake. So far, the bodies of a 14-year-old child, the mother, and the father have been found, but another body is still missing. There is another family; we need to clear the stones to be able to rescue them. We are making an announcement that anyone in need of assistance—shelter, food—should contact us. We are trying to secure conditions within community centers, new generation clubs, and the Cilicia school. We will be able to relocate people there until we determine our next steps," he elaborated.

He noted that larger vehicles are needed to remove the rubble, but there is a lack of fuel and oil available. "We are in a country at war; we have nothing. To this day, we haven't ended the war; there is no electricity, no food, and now this earthquake has struck. It is a terrifying, incomprehensible situation," Khoshafyan added.