Erdogan commemorated the first anniversary of the powerful quakes, which claimed the lives of over 55,000 people and left over 107,000 injured.

"The pain of the lives we lost in the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquakes that we experienced a year ago continues to burn our hearts as fresh as the first day," Erdogan said.

He emphasized the magnitude of destruction across 11 provinces, underscoring the nation's resilience in the face of such calamities.

"Such great disasters and great sufferings are also turning points where the strength of the unity, solidarity and brotherhood of nations is tested," Erdogan added, praising the unity displayed by the Turkish people during the crisis.

He assured ongoing government efforts to fulfill promises made to rebuild and rejuvenate affected cities.

"We will continue these efforts until we build and revitalize our cities," Erdogan affirmed.

On February 6, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria, marking the most significant seismic event in the region in over 80 years.

The initial quake had a magnitude of 7.8, and it was followed by numerous aftershocks. The devastating impact was immense: more than 55,000 lives were lost, and entire cities were erased from the landscape. Bridges crumbled, roads fractured, and airport tarmacs cracked. The quake's reach extended as far as Egypt.

Over 850,000 buildings collapsed during the initial earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 7.5 later that day.

In the Syrian border province of Hatay, where the ancient city of Antioch (now called Antakya) once stood as a cradle of both Muslim and Christian civilizations, only 250,000 of the original 1.7 million inhabitants remain.

The disaster placed immense political pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who faced re-election that year.

In response to criticism about slow rescue efforts, President Erdoğan pledged to build 650,000 housing units within a year.

As of now, 307,000 housing units have been launched, with 46,000 already delivered.

Families who chose to stay in the disaster zone but couldn't find accommodation now reside in metal container homes—small studios with access to running water and power.

The scars of this catastrophic event remain visible, and the affected communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of loss and displacement. The memory of those 65 nightmarish seconds serves as a somber reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. (ILKHA)