Nurses in Turkey are textbook definitions of heroes after they risked their lives to save vulnerable babies under their care in incubators during massive earthquakes earlier this month.

On February 6, a series of mammoth earthquakes struck south-eastern Turkey near the border of Syria, which has killed over 41,000 people (with the death toll climbing by the day).

Instead of worrying about themselves, hospital cameras in Turkey showed nurses running to protect their delicate charges and help the families on their unit as the quakes struck.

Video of one such incident has emerged, showing nurses at a special care baby unit in a Gaziantep hospital in Turkey rushing to hold incubators to keep them from falling over as the earthquake hit.

International Council of Nurses highlighted the “courage and dedication” of nurses this week, with ICN president Dr Pamela Cipriano saying, “Amid the tragedy, destruction and deaths caused by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, it is not at all surprising to see the bravery of these nurses who ran towards their tiny patients.”

She added, “Nurses’ instincts are to act swiftly to protect those under their care regardless of the circumstances. Every day we see these selfless acts of courage and humanity that epitomize the spirit of nurses everywhere and illustrate the true value of nurses and nursing to the world.”