Derry vigil held to show solidarity with those affected by earthquakes
More than 8-thousand 700 people are now known to have died in Turkey and Syria
A vigil to show solidarity with those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria was held in Londonderry last night (Tuesday).
More than 8-thousand 700 people are now known to have died in Turkey and Syria after two powerful earthquakes.
Those involved in the rescue operation worked through another night in freezing temperatures to search for survivors.
International teams have now joined rescue efforts, with temperatures dropping below zero also making things difficult.
Crowds gathered outside Derry’s Guildhall to show solidarity with those caught up in the tragedy.
Downtown/ Cool FM spoke to Mohammad Ofabachi who lives in city.
His wife's cousin, who has four children, lives in a 9th floor flat in Antakya, Turkey.
He said they're worried about her whereabouts: “It’s sad. She’s not just her cousin she is also her friend.
“She was a successful woman she was a great teacher; she had a big education centre.
“She was a nice woman, I hope that she is, not that she was.”
Zara, who is half Kurdish, said her family has been badly impacted by the natural disaster but that her family is safe.
She said “Where the earthquake was it affected our family very badly.
“They’re having to sleep outside, and the weather is really bad, it’s cold and it’s snowing.
“I just wanted to come down and show my respects and show solidarity.
Stephine also attended the vigil along with her husband who is Kurdish.
She also has family who have been displaced because if the quake.
She said: “My husband is Kurdish, and we travel there a lot back home, we would call it home.
“We actually have a brother in law who is going through chemo at the minute, he’s quite sick.
“They’re now underground because it’s the aftershock.
“It’s just one of those natural disasters, it’s heart-breaking.
“It’s just a natural disaster, the people have nothing it’s not like us.
“Just like that it’s a natural tragedy you think that no matter or where in the world that everyone is going to come out and support them.
“Doesn’t matter what religion they are or nationality we’re all human beings at the end of the day rhis could happen to any of us.”
Maeve a Derry native said she wanted to show solidarity with the large Syrian community.
She said: It’s so important that we show solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian community that live here.
“I think every Syrian family in particular because they are from that part of Syria.”
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