Two years after the catastrophic earthquake in southern Turkey, the trauma and grief remain palpable among survivors. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, devastated a wide area, causing extensive destruction and claiming over 53,000 lives in Turkey and 6,000 in northern Syria. Commemorations included prayers in mosques and the laying of flowers at cemeteries. The Turkish government has reported progress on housing replacement, but many still find themselves in temporary shelters, underscoring the long road to recovery that lies ahead for the affected communities.
The magnitude 7.8 quake on February 6, 2023, followed by another powerful tremor, destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings across 11 provinces, claiming over 53,000 lives in Turkey and 6,000 in northern Syria.
A minute of silence was observed at 04:17 a.m., the exact time the earthquake hit, with shouts of 'can anyone hear me?' recalling past cries from beneath rubble.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that 45% of replacement housing had been completed by the end of 2024, with a goal of delivering a further 452,983 homes, shops, and workspaces by the end of 2025.
Nearly half a million people still live in temporary container cities, highlighting the ongoing struggle for housing and stability two years after the earthquake.
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