Quake victims in tents including 18-month-old baby swept to their deaths as horror mudslides reap more misery on Turkey | The Sun

SURVIVORS of Turkey's devastating earthquakes living in tents were swept to their deaths after unprecedented rainfall triggered deadly mudslides.

At least 13 people, including an 18-month-old baby, died across Adiyaman and Sanliurfa as more misery was reaped on the country.

Divers and firefighters have already been deployed to carry out search and rescue missions across affected regions of the overwhelmed nation.

Harrowing images show how streets were overcome by a torrent of fast-moving water as residents watch on in horror.

One showed a deluge of fast-moving mud engulfing everything in its path, dragging cars and debris through the provinces.

Another captured the moment a crowd pulled a man to safety after throwing him a makeshift lifeline as he was hauled away by the mudslides.

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Further chilling footage shows a crowd of people gathered on a high bridge as they helplessly watch the gushing water haul a vehicle – and people – away.

At least two people can be seen desperately trying to pull themselves over the wall to grab onto a small ladder as they escape the mudslide.

Temporary housing set up for earthquake victims was submerged as heavy rain battered Turkey's southeast.

Hundreds of thousands of quake survivors have been moved into tents and shipping containers across the region following last month's 7.8-magnitude quake that killed more than 48,000.

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Officials are continuing to evacuate people from the tents after the floodwaters swept them away.

Locals now face more turmoil as the rain continues to pour, while four people are still missing following the flash floods.

Authorities announced two firefighters remain unaccounted for and police divers were working to find them – although the fierce weather conditions are hampering search and rescue operations.

Five people, believed to be Syrian nationals, were found dead in the basement of an apartment in Sanliurfa, the BBC reports.

Another two victims were reportedly found in a car that was stuck under a bridge after a crane dislodged it.

At least six people were reported to be still stuck in floods in the area, raising fears feared the death toll will only continue to rise.

An 18-month-old baby and another victim also died in nearby Adiyaman, according to local media.

Surging waters reportedly swept away a converted shipping container where a family of quake survivors were sheltering.

A hospital's entire first floor – where almost 200 people were being treated – had to be evacuated after it flooded.

One snap showed how an empty stretcher had been surrounded by the murky water as medics tried to administer care to patients.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, who made investigations in Adıyaman, said, "Currently, 10 teams of 163 people are doing search and rescue on a 25-kilometer band, and there are divers. 

"But the weather and conditions do not allow much."

Residents have been forced to wade through the deep muddy water with what little possessions they had as the weather worsens.

Torrential rains hit the area late on Tuesday and the weather service expects them to last until late Wednesday.

One shocking image showed rescue teams scaling a multi-storey apartment block to search for people – as the water had already engulfed the first floor.

The Turkish State Meteorological Service had reportedly issued an "orange alert" for the southern parts of the county.

It warns locals of possible flash flooding, power outages and hazardous conditions.

Those living on the ground and basement floors were urged to seek higher ground for safety after what was dubbed the "heaviest rainfall in recent years."

Sanliurfa Governor Ayhan said: "Urfa's annual precipitation average is 450 kilograms, the total precipitation in just two days is almost 150 kilograms.

"This has had its reflections, as well as affecting the traffic flow, flooding the basements, affecting some public institutions and organizations, and affecting our farmers."

Four more provinces that are affected by the earthquakes are expected to receive heavy rain and possible flooding.

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Additional heavy downpours can be expected until 20th March.

It comes just over a month after the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey on February 6, which claimed the lives of nearly 50,000 people and left millions homeless.

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