Turkish MP raises concerns over missing children a year after devastating earthquake

ANKARA — In the wake of the destructive earthquake that struck Turkey in February of last year, Turkish MP Nermin Yildirim Kara for the Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) from Hatay Province voiced concerns over the number of children still missing.

Kara shed light on the ongoing struggles of citizens desperately searching for their children, disputing claims made by Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas. The minister denied allegations of unaccounted-for children, asserting that all children not under official monitoring had been identified by the authorities.

Contrary to the official stance, the Association for Solidarity with Earthquake Victims and Relatives of the Missing has reported that hundreds of children remain missing. Citing information from the association, Kara emphasized the gravity of the situation.

According to data shared by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, Kara revealed that 211 citizens, including children, are still missing in Hatay. She recounted the harrowing experiences of families, such as the plight of six children residing in the now-destroyed Renaissance Complex in Antakya, Hatay Province, whose whereabouts remain unknown.