Rescue operations are ongoing almost two weeks after the Turkey-Syria border was hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks. Amidst the rubble of collapsed structures, rescue teams have discovered survivors, including humans and animals. Among those rescued is a terrified cat, which Turkish firefighter Ali Cakas saved. Amidst the chaos, they heard a faint meowing coming from the rubble. After some careful digging, they were able to locate a small, frightened cat who had been trapped beneath the ruins of a collapsed building.
With the help of the rescue team, the cat was carefully extricated from the rubble and brought to safety. But as the team members began to tend to other rescue efforts, they noticed something unusual. Despite being free to go, the cat had no intention of leaving the side of the firefighter who had rescued her. In a video, the firefighter is seen posing with the black-spotted cat perched on his shoulder, still wearing his uniform and protective gear. The cat, now named Enkaz (which means rubble), is fond of its rescuer and has refused to leave his side.
“We named it Enkaz (rubble) because we brought it out of ʜᴇʟʟ,” the firefighter said. “It might sound a little off-putting, but we wanted it to be a memory this way.”
The cat’s human has not been found, but the firefighter who saved him is taking good care of him, providing him with food and shelter. After rescuing the cat, the firefighter noticed a sadness in him and kept him close in case his owner showed up. However, if the owner won’t show up, the firefighter plans to keep Enkaz with him as a memory of their bond. Enkaz has found a secure place after surviving the traumatic experience, and we wish for a long-lasting and affectionate relationship between him and his rescuer.”I keep it by my side in case the owner comes, but if the owner doesn’t come out, I’m thinking of taking him with me,” said Ali, a firefighter of the Mardin Fire Department. “It will be a memory.”
Enkaz’s story is a testament to the resilience and courage of all those impacted by ᴅɪsᴀsᴛᴇʀ, human and animal alike. And while her newfound family may have saved her life, it’s clear that she’s brought just as much joy and companionship to their lives in return.
See Enkaz and his hero here:
A cat was saved from under the rubble in Turkey. It now refuses to leave its rescuer's side. pic.twitter.com/Nveaxu3QrG
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 16, 2023