Antakya, Turkey – On Thursday, February 6, tens of thousands of survivors in southern Turkey gathered for torchlit vigils at 4:17 AM, marking the exact moment two years ago when a catastrophic earthquake struck, leaving more than 53,000 dead in Turkey and some 6,000 in neighbouring Syria.
The powerful 7.8 magnitude quake hit the region before dawn, devastating entire cities, and leaving survivors mourning and demanding justice.
As the clock struck 4:17 AM, the moment the earthquake’s violent tremors shattered the quiet night, the survivors of this disaster filled the streets of southern Turkey, their torches lighting up the darkness.
Among them was Emine Albayrak, 25, a survivor from Antakya, the city that once housed the ancient city of Antioch, which now lies in ruins.
“Although two years have passed, we are still hurting. It still feels like it did on that first day. That hasn’t changed,” Albayrak shared with AFP.
The damage caused by the February 6, 2023 earthquake was immeasurable. Nearly 40,000 buildings were destroyed, and about 200,000 others were severely damaged.
The quake trapped an unknown number of people under debris, and despite massive search-and-rescue operations, the destruction was overwhelming.
In Antakya alone, over 20,000 lives were lost, and the city’s once-vibrant streets are now a hollow shell of their former self.
In the wake of this disaster, survivors have not only expressed profound grief but also rising anger. The emotional vigils, attended by families who lost loved ones and by those whose homes were destroyed, also served as a platform for protests.
In the heart of Antakya, demonstrators walked through the rubble-filled city center, holding a massive banner that read: “We will not forget, we will not forgive. We will hold them accountable!”
Chants of “This was not an earthquake, this was a massacre!” rang out through the night, as anger simmered over the response to the quake and the ongoing struggles of the survivors.
The rage was directed at both local authorities and the government for their perceived failure to adequately prepare for or respond to the disaster.
Security forces set up barricades to limit the marchers’ movements, which led to tense confrontations. Police detained at least three protesters during scuffles in the city, according to local reports.
The survivors’ anger was rooted in not only the overwhelming personal loss but also in the belief that corruption and poor building practices contributed to the scale of the destruction.
For those in Antakya, the anniversary of the quake remains a painful reminder of the fragility of life. “We lost everything, but we will not forget,” said one demonstrator, echoing the sentiments of many others who continue to struggle with the aftermath.
The two-year mark serves as a sobering reflection on the disaster’s lasting impact. As the survivors light their torches, the city remains in a state of mourning, but also in a state of protest.
The call for accountability grows louder with each passing day, and as they continue their fight for justice, the people of Antakya and the surrounding regions remain steadfast in their demand for answers.