Turkey has now concluded its search and rescue operations, and families are now turning to hospitals and mass graves to look for loved ones who may still be missing following the country’s earthquakes.
Ahmet Ceylanguden thought he would discover his brother-in-law among the corpses or in a hospital’s critical care unit. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the latter.
Eleven days after two earthquakes struck Turkey on February 6, Ceylanguden got a call from the office of the public prosecutor. They had identified Yilmaz’s body by his fingerprints.
His body was discovered buried beneath the debris of the residence he had occupied in the southeast province of Hatay, Turkey.
Ceylanguden had kept a vigil in front of the destroyed apartment block until the debris was totally removed. But many of the bodies pulled out during the recovery process were unrecognizable, he said. He had almost given up hope of discovering Yilmaz’s fate.
“They also sent us photos of his body and a watch and a lighter,” he told DW. “The items belonged to my brother-in-law. We could not look at the photos of his dead body. “.
The earthquake victim is presently interred with thousands of other unidentified people in a mass grave in the Hatays Narlica district. “In the next days, we will move him to our family cemetery,” Ahmet Ceylanguden said, bursting into tears.
Yilmaz’s wife Gulcan was rescued alive from the collapsed building where nearly 60 people died. In hospital, doctors later amputated both her arms and one of her legs because they were gangrenous.
The devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6, 2023 left a trail of destruction and a heavy toll on human life. While the official death toll stands at over 47000, the exact number of missing persons remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Estimating the Missing: A Complex Task
Determining the precise number of missing individuals is a complex task, hampered by several factors:
- Initial Chaos: The immediate aftermath of the earthquake was characterized by chaos and confusion. Displaced families, overwhelmed rescue workers, and damaged infrastructure made it difficult to track and account for missing individuals.
- Unidentified Bodies: The sheer scale of the disaster resulted in numerous unidentified bodies, further complicating the process of identifying and matching them with missing persons reports.
- Lack of Centralized Database: Turkey lacks a centralized database for missing persons, making it challenging to consolidate information and track progress in locating those who remain unaccounted for.
Efforts to Find the Missing
Despite the challenges, authorities and organizations are working tirelessly to locate the missing. Initiatives include:
- DNA Matching: Utilizing DNA samples from relatives and unidentified bodies, officials are attempting to identify and match individuals.
- Photographic Identification: Authorities are displaying photographs of unidentified bodies, allowing families to search for their loved ones.
- Online Inquiry Center: The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) has established an online platform where families can report missing individuals and access information about the identification process.
Current Estimates
As of March 12, 2023, estimates suggest that over 1,470 individuals remain missing in Turkey. This figure is based on the number of unidentified bodies buried in cemeteries and may change as identification efforts progress.
The Human Cost of Uncertainty
For families of the missing, the lack of closure and the agonizing wait for answers adds another layer of suffering to their already immense loss. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of their loved ones makes it difficult to grieve and move forward.
The Road Ahead
The search for the missing continues, and authorities remain committed to providing families with answers and closure. As identification efforts progress and more information becomes available, the true extent of the human cost of this tragedy will become clearer.
Additional Resources
- ICMP Türkiye: https://www.icmp.int/en/the-missing/where-are-the-missing/turkey/
- With Fingerprints, DNA and Photos, Turkey Seeks Families of the Missing: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/12/world/middleeast/earthquake-turkey-missing.html
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I report a missing person in Turkey?
A: You can report a missing person in Turkey through the ICMP’s online Inquiry Center: https://www.icmp.int/en/the-missing/where-are-the-missing/turkey/
Q: What information do I need to provide when reporting a missing person?
A: You will need to provide the missing person’s name, age, last known location, and any other relevant information that may assist in their identification.
Q: How can I stay updated on the search for missing persons in Turkey?
A: You can follow the ICMP’s website and social media channels for updates on the search for missing persons. You can also contact the ICMP directly for more information.
Q: What can I do to help families of the missing?
A: You can donate to organizations like the ICMP that are supporting the search for missing persons. You can also share information about the missing with your friends and family and encourage them to do the same.
The earthquake in Turkey has left a lasting impact on the country and its people. The search for the missing continues, and families remain hopeful for answers. While the road ahead is long and challenging, the efforts of authorities and organizations offer a glimmer of hope for those seeking closure and a chance to remember their loved ones.
Burying the dead so loved ones will find them
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Quake hit Hatay’s buildings hard
The Turkish Interior Ministry released figures on Thursday that show the current death toll is 43,556, with tens of thousands of people either homeless or displaced. However, a Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation report estimated that the death toll from the earthquakes is probably higher than 72,000.
For now, many are still missing, and the exact number is uncertain. Turkish officials informed DW that they were unable to estimate the number of unaccounted-for earthquake victims.
Turkeys Hatay province is eerily quiet. About 2,000 of the approximately 21,000 fatalities in the province as of February 20 were unidentified, according to the Hatay Public Prosecutors Office, which spoke with DW.
According to an assessment by Turkey’s Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change ministry, more buildings collapsed in Hatay than in any of the 11 provinces affected by the earthquake.
Most of the destroyed buildings and resulting rubble in Hatay have now been combed through by officials. People are currently looking for their missing loved ones in mass graves or hospitals here in Turkey, as they are doing everywhere else.
The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) states that unidentified bodies are buried within 24 hours of the victims’ fingerprints and DNA samples being taken.