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Couple act to help family and friends in Turkey after earthquake
01/03/2023
Husband hasn’t yet spoken about what he witnessed after visit in the days following the tragedy
A local couple have launched a fund-raising appeal to help their friends and family who have been devasted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Viktorija and Alper Zan have loved ones in Antakya – the capital of Hatay Province in southern Turkey.
They woke up on February 6 to news of the earthquake, but didn’t think much of it as they are not uncommon in the area. It was only later in the day they realised the scale of the situation.
Viktorija said: “Alper got in the car and told me the people who we had already lost that we know – family members. It just hit us. He said he was taking time off work with such a tragedy. The next thing I knew he was buying a ticket and flying in the morning to Turkey to take food, water and clothing to his family.”
It took days to check on people as many no longer had a phone and for those that did connections were not reliable.
Alper rented a car in Istanbul and drove for 17 hours to reach Antakya. Since returning he hasn’t been able to talk to Viktorija about what he witnessed.
“We’ve not spoken about what he saw. I don’t think he’s ready yet”, she said.
“He just said it was terrible. No one could stay inside, even in the buildings that were standing. They stayed in the car if they were lucky enough to have one; they were staying around the fires they made. Its like a warzone – all of a sudden they have nothing.”
Members of the UK search and rescue team were the first to arrive with 77 of them in the area around two days after the earthquake hit. The local search and rescue teams arrived later in the day, but in many cases it was too late.
Viktorija said: “We have a family member who basically pulled his sister using his bare hands from the rubble.”
Luckily Alper’s mother had been away in Istanbul at the time of the earthquake, but she has lost everything apart from the possessions she had with her. Alper has brought her to stay with them in the UK.
“She’s nearly 70 and has lived in Antakya all of her life”, Viktorija said. “She had just one suitcase in Istanbul whilst she was visiting family. She cries every day. She said ‘this is all I’ve got after all my life’. It’s really tragic.”
Many of the survivors have left the Antakya area for now and need assistance with clothing and accommodation. In an effort to help, Viktorija and Alper have started a fund-raising campaign.
They are holding a coffee morning at The Duck On The Pond in South Newington (where Victorija works) this Friday morning from 10.30. Villagers have already donated the proceeds from another event a couple of weeks ago.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can also do so using a Just Giving page.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam