In the early hours of February 6 2023, a 7,8 magnitude earthquake hit southern and central Türkiye at 04.17 am. Approximately 14 million people woke up to horrible shaking and ended up under rubble. The epicentre was Gaziantep and affected nine cities around it, and also western Syria. Unfortunately, a second 7,7 magnitude earthquake struck the area at 13:24 pm. These earthquakes claimed the lives of 53,537 people and injured 107,213. However, three years later, the pain that people experienced is still raw.
Three years after the earthquake, families are still living in container towns. These containers have been having issues such as electricity, water, heat, and cooling since day one. Not only are the living conditions rough, but authorities have also failed to finalise lawsuits against building contractors. The people affected by the earthquake have been fighting for three years now. They want answers, they want better shelter, and they want justice. Justice for all they lost.
The day the earthquake happened;
I had already moved over to Scotland from Türkiye. The day it happened, I had woken up early to go to work and, when I checked my phone, I saw news articles and social media posts about the terrible earthquake. I was thankful and lucky that I had no family in the southern part of Türkiye. However, I knew people who did and lost family members already.
Later, I remembered that someone I knew had moved away to one of the cities affected by the earthquake. The feelings I felt at that moment were indescribable. Feelings of panic, fear, and guilt all rushed into one. I could not get a hold of her; the lines were down. Thankfully, I was able to learn that she was okay through a mutual friend.
The days after the earthquake were not easy, watching the number of people injured climb, and the people asking for help because the government was not acting quickly enough. I could not watch and do nothing, knowing I was safe and warm. The Turkish community in Edinburgh came together and were able to plan out donation points and send away the donations.
Present Day;
Every year at 04.17 am on February 6, communities gather to pray and remember. They have all lost family and friends. People mourn their loved ones and themselves, from before the earthquake changed their lives forever. Natural disasters happen; however, the government has to put regulations in place to keep us safe. Earthquakes do not kill; it’s buildings that do.
Featured Image Credit: voaturkce via Wikimedia Commons
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