UK businessman loses 50 relatives in Turkey earthquake as death toll tops 40,000
A UK-based businessman has lost 50 relatives in Turkey’s horror earthquake.
Eleven members of Ali Tekce’s immediate family perished including his cousin’s entire family.
Six of the 11 were children.
Dozens more relatives died in the huge 7.8 magnitude quake that ripped through southern Turkey and northern Syria 10 days age killing at least 40,000 on both sides of the border.
It was followed hours later by a second quake almost as powerful.
Death toll in Turkey-Syria earthquake surges to 5,000 as third tremor hits
Devastated Ali said he is “trying to keep going” so he can support relatives in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
Members of the Turkish military embrace a fireman as the rescue continues (dia images via Getty Images)
British-based businessman Ali Tekce is heartbroken after losing 50 relatives in the devastating earthquake (Courtesy Ali Tekce / SWNS)Ali, 39, added: “It’s just an unexplainable situation as this event is one of the biggest things in the history of Turkey.
“It’s not like it’s just in one city but over ten major cities and over 15 million people have been affected. Thousands have unfortunately lost (their) life and 11 of them were a part of my immediate family.
“But over 50 members of my more distant family have lost their life. I am sad of course but we are all doing the best we can to support them from the UK.”
A 15-year-old Syrian girl is rescued from under the rubble by rescue teams (Umit Turhan Coskun/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)Thankfully the restaurant owner’s parents, brother and sister were safe in his hometown of Sanliurfa, around 35 miles from the Syrian border in the south of the country.
Ali went on: “I know someone who lost his daughter, son and wife.
“He was the only person in their building that survived but this morning he took his life because he just couldn’t handle it.
“That was the one person left from the entire family.”
Ali is currently raising money to take supplies to Turkey and he said he “cannot believe” how much support the country is receiving from the rest of the world.
Three-year-old Syrian boy Arslan Berri is saved but he lost all his immediate family (AFP via Getty Images)He said: “Globally and nationally, people are just coming together.
Atsu pulled from rubble alive and taken to hospital after earthquake in Turkey
“We cannot believe how quick people can get together and that we are getting support from all around the world.
“Here in the UK, we are doing the best we can to come together with the Turkish communities.
“I have been doing the best I can to support them from the first day.”
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