Amid blizzard conditions sweeping through Antalya, Turkey, an extraordinary story of survival and resilience has emerged.
Naciya and Mustafa Akin, both 70 years old, were found huddled together with their flock of lambs after becoming lost in heavy snowfall.
The couple, who had been trying to return home, were located by emergency responders under a tree, where they had sought refuge from the freezing temperatures.
The dramatic rescue was carried out by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), whose teams have been working tirelessly to assist those affected by the severe winter storm.
Footage released by the agency shows the frail couple wrapped in blankets as rescuers gently take lambs and even a chicken from their trembling hands.
The Akins had wandered into a remote area when adverse weather conditions and thick snowfall disoriented them. With temperatures plummeting and no immediate shelter in sight, the couple’s survival instincts took over.
They clung to their lambs, using the animals’ body heat to stave off the bitter cold. This resourcefulness likely saved their lives during the hours before help arrived.
When rescue teams finally reached them, the couple were visibly shaken but alive. They were swiftly transported to safety and handed over to medical professionals for evaluation and care.
The Akins’ rescue is just one of many dramatic incidents resulting from the relentless storm. Across the region, emergency teams have evacuated over 2,000 individuals as roads remain impassable and schools in 11 provinces are closed.
