As the death toll continues to climb in Syria and Turkey, with over 17,500 reported dead after a 7.8 earthquake early Monday local time, some stories of amazing survival have emerged. A newborn baby was pulled from the rubble more than 10 hours after the quake. Her mother had apparently given birth to her during the chaos. The baby’s umbilical cord was still attached to the baby’s mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya, who was found dead nearby. The rest of the baby’s immediate family of, her father and four siblings, were also found deceased after apparently having tried to escape from their apartment. “We heard a voice while we were digging. We cleared the dust and found the baby with the umbilical cord (intact), so we cut it, and my cousin took her to the hospital,” said a cousin of the family, Khalil al-Suwadi. Dr. Hani Maarouf is treating the baby, who was hypothermic and bruised but stable. He estimated the baby had been born some hours before her rescue and that being born under the rubble had saved her life. “Had the girl been left for an hour more, she would have died,” he said. Video of the baby being pulled from the rubble has circulated on Twitter and other social media.

Other amazing rescues have been reported amidst all the suffering as well. An entire family was rescued in the Idlib province of western Syria, with cheers from the crowd as two girls and a boy, along with two adults, were pulled from the wreckage. In Turkey, a woman was rescued from the remnants of the 8th floor of her apartment building. Local Christians were some of the first responders to help victims from the deadly quake. Gokhan Talas, founder of Miras Publishing Ministry, has coordinated several efforts to help rescued victims, including gathering blankets, formula, and medicine. “From this side of eternity, nothing is clear. But our sweet Lord is suffering with us,” he said in encouragement. He is coordinating with First Hope Association (FHA) which was established to help Syrian refugees. Talas expects good to come out of all the horror, calling it a “test of the church.” “I am proud of my brothers and sisters in Christ,” he said.

Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse announced it had deployed a 52-bed emergency field hospital to Turkey. In response to the devastation, Graham stated, “This massive earthquake has devastated Turkey. Thousands of people were killed, and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless and are searching for their loved ones. It is cold there, and survivors are in shock—they need our help. We are responding to meet needs in Jesus’ Name. Please pray for all those who are suffering.” 

Rescue efforts continue in both Syria and Turkey, with freezing conditions and infrastructure issues impacting efforts. Efforts in Syria are also complicated by an ongoing civil war and US sanctions. Sanctions have been leveled against Syria by multiple countries due to the decade-long war and accusations of human rights abuses. Many jihadist organizations control towns near the northwest border of Syria, further hindering rescue efforts. Donations to Samaritan’s Purse to help with efforts can be made here.