More than 10,000 people gathered early on Tuesday to hold a vigil, marking the first anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey. However, this solemn occasion quickly turned into a platform for furious protesters to express their discontent with what they perceive as government negligence in the aftermath.
The catastrophic magnitude 7.8 tremors, which hit Turkey and neighboring Syria, caused widespread destruction, leveling towns and parts of cities in their wake. Tragically, the earthquakes claimed the lives of over 50,000 people in Turkey and 5,900 in Syria, leaving millions homeless.
In Hatay, the southeastern Turkish province that was worst affected by the disaster, people passionately demanded the resignation of the government and local authorities during the vigil. They firmly expressed their disapproval of officials presenting themselves at the memorial, and voiced their dissatisfaction by booing the speeches.
The main square in the city of Hatay witnessed chants of “Can anybody hear my voice?” while Health Minister Fahrettin Koca spoke. This powerful slogan symbolizes the desperate calls for help that echoed from beneath the rubble as people anxiously awaited assistance. Trapped in the cold, many victims tragically lost their lives not due to the buildings collapsing, but because they were left waiting for an extended period without any rescue.
The anger and frustration displayed at the anniversary vigil are a clear reflection of the deep-rooted grievances and disappointment felt by the people affected by this tragedy. As they mourned the loss of their loved ones, they also demanded accountability from the government, highlighting the urgent need for proper disaster response and support.
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