Carrollton woman learns she lost family in Turkey earthquake: ‘You feel useless, you feel like there’s nothing you can do’

CARROLTON, TX (CBSDFW.COM) We learn that at least 12,000 people died in an earthquake in Turkey and Syria earlier this week. CBS 11 met with a Carrollton woman who learned that at least three members of her family in Turkey had died under the rubble.

Nusin Van Winkle was born and raised in Antakya, Turkey. So when she heard the news that her hometown had been destroyed by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, she was devastated.

“I started trying to contact my family members,” Van Winkle said. “I tried to reach out to them to see if they were safe if their homes were hit, and it started spiraling from there, we started getting even worse news.”

She learned that some of her relatives were trapped under the rubble.

“My uncle, my father’s brother, and his entire family were trapped under a collapsed building,” Van Winkle said.

Her cousin Ozlem, who was buried under the rubble, was able to send text messages to people to let them know she was alive. Thousands of miles away in Texas, Nusin used social media and her network of doctor contacts to connect with anyone in Turkey who could help.

“They found her,” Van Winkle said, “and told her to wave, so we got this video and started sharing it,” Van Winkle said.

But when they finally pulled her out of the rubble, it was too late.

“I saw a message from my sister that Ozlem was saved and I called her and they said they saved her, but by the time she got out her heart had stopped so she didn’t survive,” he said.

At least three of her relatives have died. She uses every free moment to stay in touch with her family in Turkey, looking for information on other relatives who are still missing. She says it’s hard being so far from home.

“You feel worthless, you feel like there’s nothing you can do, and you want to be there,” Van Winkle said. “I’m a doctor, I could be useful if I was there, but I couldn’t, it’s so far away.”

She hopes that by speaking out about her family’s tragedy, she will encourage other North Texas residents to donate to rescue efforts and help survivors.

“No one can do much on their own, but if we all come together in solidarity and show them our compassion and generosity, we can do anything.”

The Turkish American Association of North Texas has compiled a list of organizations you can send donations to to support recovery efforts:

AKUT – Search and Rescue Association

AFAD – Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency

Ahbap Platform

Bridge to Turkey Foundation

They also collect donations in the form of clothing and other necessary supplies. You can find more information about pickup locations and the items they collect here.