08 February 2023 , 11:39
755
0
Horse racing in Turkey has been cancelled until further notice and four of its tracks are being used as shelters for people affected by the devastating earthquake.
The racecourses at Adana, Diyarbakır, Elazığ and Şanlıurfa, the nearest tracks to the region, are providing temporary accommodation and food.
They are also being used to collect donations of the essential items being sent to the disaster area.
More than 11,000 people have now been killed and buildings destroyed after two huge earthquakes and a series of aftershocks hit Turkey, Syria and the surrounding region on Monday.
The epicentre of the first earthquake near the city of Gaziantep is around 100 miles from Adana racecourse.
Housebound ex-serviceman enjoys special window visit from physio's horse
The Turkish Jockey Club said: “As the Jockey Club Association of Turkey, we are following with great sadness the developments regarding the earthquake disaster, the centre of which is Kahramanmaraş and affecting our whole country.
“We try to provide all kinds of support by hosting our citizens in need in our racecourses and by delivering the basic needs of our citizens in coordination with the relevant units.
“In this direction, as the Turkish Jockey Club Association, we continue to send basic necessities (food, water, blankets, etc.) to the disaster area in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.”
The TJK said all its racecourses are accepting donations of essential products to deliver to areas in need, including tents, stoves, sleeping bags, clothing and hygiene supplies.