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3mo ago

Turkey Reflects on Earthquake Tragedy Two Years Later

Survivors continue to face hardships as rebuilding efforts lag and fears of future quakes loom.

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FILE - A boy rides his bicycle among containers homes sheltering survivors of the powerful Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake, in Antakya, southern Turkey, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)
FILE - People toss carnations into the Orontes River as they mark the one-year anniversary of the country's catastrophic earthquake, in the city of Antakya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Metin Yoksu, File)
FILE - A container that was turned into a barber shop by its owner whose business was destroyed in the powerful earthquake in 2023, in Antakya, southern Turkey, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)

Overview

  • The February 6, 2023, earthquake killed over 53,000 in Turkey and 6,000 in Syria, flattening tens of thousands of buildings and displacing millions.
  • Two years later, 670,000 survivors remain in temporary container homes, with many struggling to rebuild their lives and secure sustainable incomes.
  • President Erdogan has faced criticism for unfulfilled promises, with only 201,500 homes delivered out of the 650,000 pledged for reconstruction.
  • 189 individuals have been sentenced for negligence in connection with the disaster, with over 1,800 defendants still facing trial.
  • Concerns grow over Istanbul's vulnerability to a potential major earthquake, with officials warning that 600,000 homes could collapse in the city of 15.6 million.