Türkiye Holds Silent Marches to Commemorate Earthquake Victims

Thousands gathered in silent marches across 11 cities in Türkiye on Feb. 6, mourning the lives lost in the devastating earthquakes that struck the country’s south two years ago.

  The first 7.7-magnitude tremor hit in the early hours of Feb. 6, 2023, followed by a 7.6-magnitude quake later that afternoon. The disaster claimed 53,537 lives across the southern provinces, displacing millions and leaving cities struggling to recover.

A Nation in Mourning

Marching through the ruins of their former homes, mourners placed carnations where their loved ones once lived. Some carried photographs of the deceased, while banners bearing the words "We have not forgotten" underscored the enduring grief. In Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquake, locals gathered around a frozen clock set to 4:17 a.m., the exact moment the first quake struck. They observed a minute of silence, followed by the national anthem, as many struggled to hold back tears. In Hatay, the hardest-hit province, an interfaith ceremony brought together representatives of the three Abrahamic religions, offering prayers for the departed. Mourners also cast red carnations into the Asi River, a symbolic tribute to those lost.

Erdoğan: ‘We Stand United’

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing the tragedy’s impact, wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"From the very first day, we have stood united as a state and as a people, never withdrawing our support from the affected regions, even for a moment."

Later in the day, he is set to attend a memorial event in Adıyaman, another province devastated by the quakes. He vowed:

"We shall persist in our monumental endeavor of rebuilding and restoring, with diligence, determination, and unwavering resolve, until our cities fully rise from the ashes."

Scars That Remain

The earthquake disaster remains one of Türkiye’s darkest tragedies, and its scars are still etched into the urban landscape. As the country continues its reconstruction efforts, the memory of those lost serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience required to rebuild.