Raqqa’s students to be transported from Aleppo following the earthquake
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – An official in the Raqqa Drivers Union, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), said on Tuesday that they formed a committee to bring back the students stranded in Aleppo following the catastrophic earthquake.
This came after distress calls made by the students at Aleppo University.
On Monday at dawn, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing hundreds in both countries with many still struck under rubbles.
The city of Aleppo was greatly affected, amid expectations of continued aftershocks; thousands of casualties, and enormous material damage were reported.
The committee, which includes the Drivers Union, the Land Transport Office and the People’s Municipality in Raqqa, sent seven buses this morning to bring in the students, Hassan al-Khabour, an administrator in the Drivers’ Union, said.
On Monday, students from Raqqa studying at the University of Aleppo issued distress calls to send buses to remove them to their city, after leaving their homes and the university campus, and sleeping in public parks and streets.
Al-Khabour added that some of the residents of Raqqa responded to the students and sent mini-buses to transport their children.
The trips that the committee conducted were free, and they would arrive between 1:00 and 4:00 pm on Tuesday, al-Khabour noted.
The Syrian Ministry of Higher Education postponed exams in all Syria’s universities.