Metro workers' donations aid rescue

A Chinese-made metro train running on a newly opened line between Istanbul International Airport and the city's downtown area has remained in service after a devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria on Monday, according to the train's manufacturer.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras on Monday, followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake a few minutes later in the country's southern province of Gaziantep and a magnitude 7.6 earthquake later that day in Kahramanmaras province.

The death toll in Turkiye and Syria has risen to 15,383, according to data released by authorities and rescuers as of Thursday.

Employees from CRRC-MNG Rail System Vehicles Industry and Trade, a joint venture established by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive with local partners in Turkiye, have donated money to help the earthquake rescue, according to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive.

"Our company is about 700 kilometers from the epicenter, so I felt the quake weakly," said Guo Xile, who works at the company, adding that the company has set up an emergency plan for the earthquake.

The 34-km Istanbul New Airport Line opened on Jan 22, reducing travel time between the new airport and the downtown area to about half an hour.

Haluk Oguz, who studied in China for eight years and is an employee of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive's subsidiary in Turkiye, said he was very grateful for the guidance and support from his Chinese colleagues.