On the Anniversary of the Earthquake in Turkey, White Air Balloons Launched in Famagusta

In Famagusta on February 6th, the memory of the 49 TRNC citizens who died in the "disaster of the century" - the earthquake that occurred a year ago in Turkey - was honored by launching white air balloons into the sky on the first anniversary of the tragedy.

The commemorative event took place at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Palace of Culture and Congresses in Famagusta. As part of the event, the "Champion Angels" who perished due to the collapse of the Isis Hotel, where they stayed during the earthquake in Adıyaman while attending a volleyball championship, were immortalized.

Present at the event were TRNC President Ersin Tatar with his wife Sibel Tatar, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic Zorlu Töre with his wife Emel Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and his wife Zerrin Üstel, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Metin Feyzioğlu, as well as ministers, military and civilian officials, deputies, mayors, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and ordinary citizens.

The event began with a minute of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the reading of poems. Poet and writer Feyzan Korur read the poem "City of Angels," while the mother of a victim of the earthquake, Ali Karasel, recited the poem "Angels." Subsequently, the state's top officials delivered commemorative speeches.

After the concert by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, participants in the event lined up in front of the Rauf Raif Denktaş Palace of Culture and Congresses, forming the word "Conscience" and releasing white air balloons into the sky.

It is worth noting that the devastating earthquake on February 6th, 2023, claimed the lives of over 50,000 people. Among the victims were members of a youth volleyball team from Famagusta and their parents - a total of 35 people. The Council of Ministers of the TRNC made a historic decision - the entire team was recognized as martyrs. They were called the Champion Angels.

Earlier, on the first anniversary of the tragedy, the President of the country, Ersin Tatar, addressed the people of the TRNC.