Gathering for Commemoration: Second Year Anniversary of the Disaster of the Century
Residents in the Central Antakya district gathered in the evening hours on April 17th to attend a commemoration event at Cumhuriyet Square. Despite the rainy weather, families arrived with umbrellas in hand to pay their respects and remember the pain they experienced.
One individual, Tohma, expressed his emotions, stating, “I will never forget the earthquake that struck Antakya. It was a terrible day, and I pray that such a tragedy never occurs again. My heart goes out to those who lost their lives in the earthquake.”
Yasemin Köse also shared her sorrow, mentioning that she lost relatives and friends in the disaster. She emphasized the pain and sadness that still lingers.
In Iskenderun, citizens gathered at the Monument Area to honor the memory of those who perished in the earthquake. Traders in the area served soup to those present, showing solidarity and support during the commemoration.
Resul Daş, who lost 9 family members in the earthquake, reflected on the tragic event, stating, “We went through a difficult time, and I hope no one ever experiences such pain again.”
In the Mustafa Kemal neighborhood, empty areas that were destroyed in the earthquake still remain, with only remnants of cloves and toys left behind. The community continues to remember and mourn the lives lost in the Disaster of the Century.
