Two years after one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, Turkey finds itself engulfed in a wave of pain, anger, and grief as it marks the second anniversary of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country before dawn, leaving a profound impact on both the survivors and the nation at large. The disaster, which claimed the lives of over 53,000 people in Turkey and about 6,000 in neighboring Syria, has left behind unimaginable devastation. Almost 40,000 buildings were destroyed, with about 200,000 others left severely damaged, leaving many trapped under the rubble and creating a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.
As the clock struck 4:17 AM on Thursday, the exact time the earthquake hit two years ago, thousands of survivors, families, and communities across southern Turkey gathered in torchlit vigils to remember the lives lost and honor the victims. It was an emotional scene of collective mourning and remembrance as people once again felt the raw pain of that fateful day. For many survivors, it still feels as though the disaster happened just yesterday, with emotions running high. Emine Albayrak, a 25-year-old survivor from Antakya, recalled her harrowing experience as she said, “Although two years have passed, we are still hurting. It still feels like it did on that first day. That hasn’t changed.” In Antakya, an ancient city that was nearly completely wiped off the map with 90 percent of its buildings destroyed, over 20,000 lives were lost. This once-vibrant city now lies in ruins, a stark reminder of the earthquake’s destructive power.
The deep sorrow and mourning were matched by anger and a demand for accountability. As they held their vigils, survivors and citizens chanted, “Can anybody hear me?”, evoking the desperate cries of those trapped beneath the debris in freezing temperatures, some of whom endured hours, even days, without help. The scene was one of profound emotion as people threw red carnations into the Orontes River—a symbolic act to remember the dead and pay tribute to their lost lives.
However, as the crowds gathered, there was also a sense of outrage and frustration. “We will not forget, we will not forgive. We will hold them accountable!” read the banner carried by mourners, reflecting the widespread belief that the earthquake’s devastation was, in part, due to corruption and negligence. The collapse of so many buildings in a region prone to earthquakes has led many to point fingers at the greedy developers and corrupt officials who allowed unsafe buildings to be constructed on unstable land. This sentiment was echoed in chants of “This was not an earthquake, this was a massacre!”, as protestors expressed their outrage over the systemic issues that allowed such an avoidable disaster to unfold. Security forces were quick to intervene, setting up barricades to prevent protestors from marching further. Tensions rose, and scuffles broke out as the police detained three individuals. The crowd’s frustration spilled over into calls for the government’s resignation, demanding accountability for the widespread failures that contributed to the tragedy.
The grief was not limited to any one group. Christians gathered later in the morning under the ruins of Antakya’s 14th-century Greek Orthodox church, their mournful chants reverberating across the city. For Humeysa Bagriyanik, who was just 16 years old when the earthquake struck, the trauma still feels fresh. “Two years have passed, but it still feels like yesterday for me,” she said, reflecting on the immense loss. “I feel like a stranger in my hometown now. Our city was razed to the ground, and now I don’t recognize anything,” she added, as Antakya undergoes a massive reconstruction project. The city, once known for its rich history and cultural heritage, is now a vast construction site, as efforts to rebuild the devastated region are underway.
Dubbed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the “disaster of the century,” the earthquake left nearly two million people homeless. Despite the overwhelming scale of the destruction, reconstruction efforts have been ongoing, with nearly 201,500 homes completed and plans to hand over 220,000 more by the end of the year. However, for many survivors, the pain persists as they remain in temporary housing and grapple with the psychological trauma of the disaster. Sema Genc, 34, whose home collapsed on top of her and killed her entire family, reflected on the lasting fear that has taken root in her life. “Whenever I enter a room, the first place I look is the ceiling: would it hold up in an earthquake, or would I be trapped under the rubble?” she confessed, highlighting the deep psychological scars left by the disaster.
As the legal aftermath unfolds, 189 people have been jailed for negligence, and 1,342 ongoing trials continue, involving 1,850 defendants. The justice system is working to hold those responsible accountable, but for many survivors, true justice will only come when the country learns from its mistakes and puts in place stronger safety measures for the future.
In addition to these concerns, repeated aftershocks in the region have raised alarm bells about the potential for another major earthquake. The threat of a “big one” hitting Istanbul, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, remains ever-present. Murat Kurum, Turkey’s Urban Planning Minister, has warned that the city’s 600,000 homes could collapse in the event of another significant earthquake, and experts believe that Istanbul may not be able to withstand a tremor of the same magnitude as the 1999 disaster that killed 17,000 people.
Two years after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the road to recovery remains long and fraught with challenges. Turkey’s commitment to rebuilding is unwavering, but the emotional and psychological scars of the disaster will take much longer to heal. As the country continues to rebuild, the victims and survivors will never forget the tragedy, and their calls for justice and accountability will not be silenced. The earthquake may have shattered lives and cities, but the resolve of the Turkish people to rebuild and heal remains unbroken.
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